Is Edmonton Business-Friendly? Let’s Talk About It

While going to neighbourhoods as part of campaigning, I often find myself walking past local strip malls and community commercial areas, each with a unique mix of businesses such as restaurants, clinics, convenience stores, and small studios. I’ve spoken to fellow immigrants and working-class Edmontonians who are considering starting businesses of their own.

I’ve followed stories about innovation and economic growth in the city, especially in technology, trades, logistics, green industries, and tourism. And I know how much entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike want clarity on one big question: Is Edmonton truly a city that supports business success?

The answer is promising but also complicated. There are many efforts already in place, and many opportunities where we can do better.

What the City of Edmonton Offers for Businesses

The City of Edmonton has made a real effort to be more “business-friendly” in recent years, both for first-time entrepreneurs and established industry players. Some of the ongoing services and supports include:

• Business-Friendly Support Team

  • This service helps business owners navigate licensing, zoning, permitting, and more. One-on-one help is available for those starting or growing their operations. The City also has a Client Liaison Unit that works with complex development applications and commercial projects.

• Streamlined Permits and Faster Licensing

  • Improvements in processing have saved businesses time and money. On average, permit and licensing changes have saved about 260,000 days of waiting and over $4 million in costs across the city.

• Clearer Rules for Public Spaces

  • A new public spaces bylaw provides consistent expectations for how vendors, events, and businesses use sidewalks, patios, and city-owned space. This is helpful for street vendors, food trucks, and event planners.

• Grants and Partnered Programs

  • There are resources to help upgrade storefronts, support arts and culture businesses, and empower equity-seeking entrepreneurs, including newcomers, Indigenous business owners, and women-led companies.

• Regional Partnerships

  • Through organizations like Edmonton Global, Edmonton Unlimited, and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, the city promotes industry growth in clean energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, tourism, and more.

    
    

You can find many of these resources at edmonton.ca/business-economy.

What Can Be Improved

Even with these tools in place, there are areas where local businesses still feel frustrated. Conversations I’ve had—at the door, at events, and through community advocacy—point to some recurring themes:

• Small Business Tax Pressures

  • While Alberta’s tax environment is relatively competitive, Edmonton small businesses still express concern over commercial property taxes and the need for more fairness compared to residential property tax rates.

• Process Clarity

  • Some business owners still find city systems confusing. We can do better at offering clear, multilingual, and accessible instructions for permits, licenses, and public engagements.

• Procurement and “Buying Local”

  • The city can improve how it supports local suppliers, especially equity-seeking and Indigenous-owned businesses, by adjusting procurement policies and actively seeking diverse vendors.

• Infrastructure for Industrial and Commercial Use

  • In growing areas, there are gaps in services like roads, sewers, and public transit that impact businesses. These need to be addressed to support employment zones and logistics corridors.

• Better Alignment with Provincial and Federal Programs

  • Coordinating local supports with other levels of government will help businesses access grants, programs, and talent pipelines more efficiently.

My Commitments as Your City Councillor

If elected, I will champion the following to support businesses of all sizes and sectors:

✅ Reliable service standards:

• I will advocate for transparent, consistent timelines on permits, licenses, and inspections to ensure businesses can plan with confidence.

✅ Inclusive procurement policies:

• I will support efforts to increase city purchasing from local and equity-seeking businesses.

✅ Smart alignment with other governments:

• I will push for coordinated supports between city, provincial, and federal governments, especially for small businesses.

✅ Sector-specific growth strategies

• I will support zoning and funding options tailored to emerging and underrepresented industries like green tech, creative arts, and newcomer enterprises.

✅ Focus on local economy in revitalization projects

• I will ensure funds from CRLs and other tools benefit local entrepreneurs and not just big-ticket projects, so our neighbourhoods thrive too.

A Healthy Business Community Benefits Everyone

Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur, a small shop owner, a tradesperson working in construction, or someone leading a mid-size firm in technology or manufacturing, your success contributes to the vibrancy of our entire city.

That’s why I want to hear from you.

Please feel free to share your experiences, ideas, and suggestions with me, especially if you are a business owner or involved in a local industry. Let me know what’s working, what isn’t, and how the city can serve you better.

A healthy business community is key to a prosperous Edmonton.