The Pulse: Sept. 17, 2025

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce's sign against a blue sky.

Edmonton Chamber pushes for municipal development corporation ahead of election

Sept. 17, 2025
By Stephanie Swensrude

The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has a wish list of policies for those running in the municipal election, and near the top of that list is to champion a municipal development corporation.

Heather Thomson, vice president of economy and engagement with the chamber, said such a corporation should be a "no-brainer" for Edmonton during a members-only livestream with Taproot co-founder Mack Male on Sept. 12.

Thomson joined the broadcast to discuss the chamber's municipal action plan. The chamber releases such documents ahead of each federal, provincial, and municipal election to advocate for policies it believes will help its members. Thomson said an MDC would be "game-changing" and is among the chamber's top desired outcomes from the election.

The MDC would assemble strategic land into developable parcels, deliver projects that could help spur other developments, and co-invest with private and Indigenous partners, according to the chamber's plan.

Calgary has an MDC, which redeveloped the 49-acre mixed-use East Village, among other projects. The corporation said it invested over $400 million into infrastructure in the East Village, which has attracted $3 billion of private investment. In Winnipeg, the municipally owned CentreVenture recently partnered with the University of Winnipeg Renewal Corporation for the mixed-use, mixed-rent Market Lands redevelopment. CentreVenture has also restored heritage buildings and facilitated an infill townhouse development. Thomson said CentreVenture makes money for the city through a shared dividend.

Edmonton's administration has identified a "fiscal gap" in its capital and operating budgets. In a report detailing ways the city could address the gap, administration said "the city's revenue-raising capacity has persistently fallen short of its expenditure needs on both an operating and capital basis." The report discusses different ways the city can reduce expenditures, but as for increasing revenue, it focuses on growing the non-residential tax base and potentially raising user fees and permit fees.

Thomson said an MDC could help the city by acting as a new revenue stream. "Taxes are not the only way anymore — we need to be looking at different mechanisms to be making money," she said.

A key to making an MDC work is ensuring distance between the municipally owned corporation and city administration, Thomson said. "It makes (the corporation) more competitive with the private sector. It allows for the development corporation to actually serve as an equal in the private sector."

Thomson also discussed some of the other recommendations in the chamber's municipal action plan, including recommendations to mandate that civic staff return to office and to create a three-year, $100-million downtown office conversion and infill fund.

Taproot holds members-only livestreams every second Friday, where guests such as Thomson go deep on issues of interest to Edmontonians. Become a member for access to future livestreams.

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Headlines: Sept. 17, 2025

Sept. 17, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim

Edmonton city council is proposing smaller shelters to be located in more areas across the city. This strategy aims to better distribute aid for people experiencing homelessness, moving away from large, centralized facilities. Council believes this approach could provide more accessible and effective aid, integrating services into various communities within Edmonton.
Most of Edmonton's 13 mayoral candidates intend to review or repeal the city's single-use plastics bylaw if they win the Oct. 20 election. The bylaw, enacted July 1, 2023, banned plastic bags and Styrofoam, while introducing fees for paper and reusable bags. Candidates like Omar Mohammad and Tim Cartmell argue it's ineffective and costly. Coun. Andrew Knack, who initially supported the bylaw, said he would review its financial impact on consumers. Environmentalist Michael Kalmanovitch, however, advocates for keeping the ban, stating going back would be a "waste."
Edmonton Elections opened a hiring fair to recruit ballot counters and standby workers for the Oct. 20 municipal election, as well as for advance voting from Oct. 7-11.
The Miller Residence, valued for its Arts and Crafts influences and connection to early residential development in Edmonton's Alberta Avenue area, and the Massey Ferguson Building will receive grants from the City of Edmonton's Heritage Conservation program for renovation work. These buildings are Edmonton's 194th and 195th designated historic resources. Concurrently, the City's heritage planning team is developing a new city-wide Heritage Places Strategy to replace the existing plan, broadening the historical lens, addressing climate adaptation, and guiding preservation in a densifying city.
The City of Edmonton and Commonwealth Stadium are seeking capital funds from the province to renovate the facility in Edmonton. Concourse congestion, specifically highlighted during a recent Morgan Wallen concert and other major events, has underscored the need for significant upgrades. Officials aim to address these limitations to improve the stadium experience.
Postmedia columnist Keith Gerein's analysis of a recent Edmonton mayoral debate suggests the event began to separate contenders. Rahim Jaffer offered clear policy, proposing 500 new police officers and a 22% tax cut, appealing to voters seeking wholesale change. Gerein wrote that Michael Walters gained confidence, focusing on homelessness and debating the City's role in addressing it with Jaffer and Andrew Knack. Walters warned against the City fully taking on housing and addiction responsibilities without provincial support. Tim Cartmell's performance was less impactful, Gerein wrote, despite speaking well on constituent issues like infill.
The province announced expanded addiction detox capacity at the new George Spady Society location in Edmonton. This initiative aims to enhance access to crucial addiction treatment services for individuals in the region. The province is providing more than $13 million in funding.
The Alberta government launched the $185 million WorkFirst Alberta employment service program. This program, available to all Albertans, including those with disabilities, offers resume assistance, workshops, training, and wraparound services like child care, transportation, and mental health support. The province plans to expand it in 2026 to include a jobseeker-employer matching service.
The Edmonton Oilers will open their 2025 Training Camp on Sept. 17, with medical and fitness testing at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff will lead 55 players (six goaltenders, 16 defencemen, 33 forwards) through on-ice sessions starting Sept. 18 at Rogers Place and the Downtown Community Arena. The Oilers' eight-game preseason begins Sept. 21 against the Calgary Flames, and the regular season starts at home on Oct. 8, also against the Flames.
Connor McDavid will enter Edmonton Oilers training camp on Sept. 17 without a contract extension, despite being eligible since July 1. His current deal commits him only through the 2025-26 season. While dialogue with agent Judd Moldaver and Oilers management remains cordial, McDavid's primary hesitation stems from concerns about the team's aging roster and its long-term ability to consistently contend for the Stanley Cup, rather than financial terms or contract length, The Athletic reported.
The Edmonton Elks added linebacker Xander Mueller and defensive lineman Gavin Meyer to the team roster. The team also released defensive lineman Eli Mostaert.