They discussed downtown revitalization, homeless shelter capacity, creating safer communities, as well as ensuring community supports are offered with a focus on and partnership with Indigenous communities and recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC). Premier Smith brought forward the need to collaborate on large capital projects and raised concerns about high property taxes and their negative effects on small businesses and jobs, particularly downtown.
Mayor Sohi asked for a commitment to collaborate with the province in addressing the social issues of downtown and the Premier agreed that the province will continue to be an active and willing partner to solving these issues, including through the work of the Edmonton Task Force.
Premier Smith committed to working with the city of Edmonton on the issues they raised, but identified the need for detailed plans to address their specific asks.