Blake Desjarlais has stepped down as Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack's chief of staff after just three months on the job, the mayor's office confirmed Wednesday. The decision was described as mutual.
Statement from Desjarlais
“After careful reflection and discussion with Mayor Andrew Knack, I have made the decision to step down as his chief of staff,” Desjarlais wrote in a statement. “Serving our city has been one of the great privileges of my career. The lessons and stories shared with me during my time are ones I will truly treasure.”
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. I have always practiced my values and lessons learned from Elders and community, and what I’ve learned is that there is a time for everything. And although my time in the mayor’s office is coming to an end, I know that with every sunset there is a sunrise.”
Mayor Knack's response
Knack issued a short statement: “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.”
Background on Desjarlais
Desjarlais, a former NDP MP for Edmonton-Griesbach, was hired by Knack on April 7, 2026. In the 2021 federal election, he defeated Conservative incumbent Kerry Diotte, becoming the first two-spirit MP in the House of Commons. However, in the 2025 federal election, Diotte won back the riding as the NDP collapsed to just seven seats nationwide, prompting leader Jagmeet Singh to step down.
The NDP's official review of its 2025 campaign stated that “the NDP’s vote decline was broad-based and consistent across the country, rather than concentrated in a few regions or riding types. No region or segment of the NDP’s traditional voter base was immune from this national trend.”
Hiring announcement in April
When Desjarlais was hired in April, Knack praised him: “His strong and principled work ethic has earned him a reputation of being a pragmatic and attentive leader. But most importantly, he’s regarded as someone who is rooted in community, seeking solutions that empower people. We enthusiastically look forward to having him join us in building a stronger Edmonton — for today and the future.”
That future lasted just three months.
