Opinion: Collaboration is key for Edmonton region

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The Edmonton metro region is facing a confluence of challenges unprecedented in its history. Rapid population growth, an evolving economic landscape, and labour market shortages may be nothing new, but all three happening with such intensity at the same time is.

Alberta’s population has exploded over the past four years with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of newcomers from across the country and around the world. In the last five years alone, the region’s population has increased by a staggering 8.6 per cent.

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The growing pains are evident. There is a lot more traffic, making it harder for people to get to work and for goods to get to market. Many in the region, particularly young people, are having a difficult time getting into the housing market as demand continues to drive prices up. Employers are struggling to find the workers they need.

While the challenges are apparent, so are the opportunities. There are myriad reasons why people are moving to the region in such numbers, including well-paying jobs, world-class post-secondary institutions and amenities, exciting growth in sectors like technology, and livable communities. People want to be here because they see a future here.

As a region, we must work together to leverage our strengths and thoughtfully build the infrastructure needed – physical, social, intellectual, and economic – to realize that future. Our success will ultimately depend on our ability to grow, attract and retain talent. The right people are the foundation for any successful endeavour.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the competition for the best and brightest is only going to intensify. The regions that pull ahead in the coming decades will be those that offer a compelling mix of economic opportunity and quality of life.

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Economic opportunity begins with education. The Edmonton metro region has a distinct advantage in this regard, with a cluster of top-rated K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions, including the University of Alberta and NAIT. Moving forward, these institutions need to grow – both in terms of students and programming – along with the demand for skilled workers.

Billions of dollars of investment have poured into the region in recent years, including major projects by Dow, Air Products, and Linde. Ensuring their staffing needs are met must be a priority. Once operational and successful, these projects will strengthen the region’s economic ecosystem. This, in turn, will generate other opportunities and attract even more talented and skilled people, including entrepreneurs with experience building and scaling up businesses and health-care professionals to name a few.

Attracting people to the region is one thing, particularly as many young, ambitious people are willing to relocate short-term for opportunities. The greater challenge is convincing them to stay and build a life here. That’s why quality of life is so critical.

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While the definition of a good quality of life can differ from one person to the next, affordable and diverse housing options, reasonable commute times, world-class educational opportunities, a sustainable environment, and reliable services are important to most.

Delivering these effectively will require collaboration. If we fail to do so, skilled workers will leave for more attractive jurisdictions or skip over the region altogether. Long gone are the days when the region’s municipalities could operate in silos. The competition for talent and investment is simply too intense to leave anything to chance.

Building a future-ready region begins with municipal collaboration. As the region’s convener, the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) will continue to support growth and infrastructure, but it needs to go beyond that.

Given the stakes, other key stakeholders, including industry, post-secondaries, and NGOs, have a role to play, too. In an ever-more competitive global economy, we’re going to sink or thrive as a region.

This year, the EMRB is holding its first State of the Region event. The goal is to provide a forum for municipal, business, and community leaders to determine how and where they can work together. This work is imperative. Only through collaboration can we find the solutions needed so we can confidently welcome the future.

Karen Wichuk is the CEO of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board.

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