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In this episode, I’m speaking with Paul Bakhmut, who moved from Ukraine to Edmonton, Canada 15 years ago as an international student and is now running for mayor.
Paul is big on first impressions. And he still remembers his first impression of Edmonton: no bus from the airport to the city. You had to drive or find a cab. Even now, the bus only goes to the train station, not downtown.
His vision for Edmonton in two years if he wins? A city that looks and feels alive, not one littered with “for lease” signs. A place that feels safe, not just in police statistics but in actual lived experience.
But Paul is practical in how he expects to achieve all these goals. He accepts that Edmonton needs to get more competitive with business taxes and become an open, smart, and fun city that attracts businesses and sets a cultural tone that values what newcomers bring.
In this conversation, Paul and I chat about how his view of Canada has changed over the past 15 years. We also explore:
Why Alberta’s immigration boom creates challenges and opportunities
Why the city’s own hiring practices matter for the broader market
Why he still believes in the promise of Canada after 15 years
The importance of judging newcomers on merit, not credentials
The city’s role in setting the cultural tone on hiring newcomers
Dozie’s Notes
A few things that stuck with me as I listened through this week’s conversation:
Our immigration system isn’t exactly designed for job creators. Blayne Kumar of Bright Immigration has been beating this drum for a long time; what’s Canada’s plan for business immigration? Please don’t tell me Startup Visa.
First impressions also matter for cities. They compound into long-term perceptions of a place. There’s arriving, feeling safe and welcomed, and seeing a city that looks alive, functional, and is teeming with opportunities.
Being open for business is about culture. Policy plays a part, but cities don’t become competitive by accident. Paul’s “open, smart, and fun Edmonton” framing recognizes that attracting businesses and newcomers requires intentionality.
Official Links
✅ Connect with Paul Bakhmut on LinkedIn
✅ Read Paul’s plan for a safer, smarter, and thriving Edmonton
One Ask
If you found this story helpful, please forward or share it to one immigrant out there.
