Edmonton mayor's chief of staff Blake Desjarlais steps down after three months
Desjarlais and Mayor Andrew Knack have mutually agreed to part ways, the mayor's office confirmed Wednesday.
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Blake Desjarlais and Mayor Andrew Knack have mutually agreed to part ways, ending Desjarlais's tenure as chief of staff after just three months.
Desjarlais, who was appointed on April 7, released a statement Wednesday saying: "After careful reflection and discussion with Mayor Andrew Knack, I have made the decision to step down as his chief of staff. Serving our city has been one of the great privileges of my career."
He added: "This choice is a mutual one, and I leave with respect for our mayor and council as they continue the hard work of building a city for all."
Knack issued a brief statement in response: "I am proud of Blake's service to my office and our city, and have no doubt that he will continue to serve Edmontonians to the best of his ability. Thank you, Blake."
Desjarlais, a former federal NDP MP who won Edmonton-Griesbach in 2021 as the first two-spirit Member of Parliament, had been credited with bringing a "pragmatic and attentive" leadership style rooted in community. When hired in April, Knack said Desjarlais was "regarded as someone who is rooted in community, seeking solutions that empower people."
The NDP's 2025 federal election review found the party's vote decline was broad-based across the country. Diotte won back the Edmonton-Griesbach riding in that election.
