‘Our input has been sidelined’: Community association pulls out of Edmonton Chinatown gate project
Posted June 10, 2026 12:44 pm.
Last Updated June 10, 2026 6:59 pm.
The Chinese community association previously working with the City of Edmonton on a replacement for the Harbin Gate in Chinatown has withdrawn from the project.
The Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA), which promotes Chinese culture and vibrancy in Edmonton’s Chinatown, claims its “input has been sidelined as the project’s scope and cost expanded.”
“The city’s approval of an $8.7 million design, at a time when Chinatown face serious economic and social pressures, demonstrates a troubling misalignment with community priorities,” the CBA wrote in a statement.
“The CBA cannot support a project where cultural partners are treated as symbolic rather than substantive contributors, nor can we endorse spending substantial taxpayer dollars for a single, over-budget capital item while urgent needs in Chinatown, including safety, business recovery, and sanitation remain unmet.
“We believe these funds would deliver greater public benefit if invested in initiatives that directly support residents and local businesses.”
Billy To of the CBA told CityNews “every project has to be accountable to the taxpayer.”
RELATED: Future of Edmonton’s Harbin Gate
The original Harbin Gate, gifted to Edmonton in 1987, was removed in 2017 for LRT construction. The new gate, which is expected to be completed next year, will be on 97 Street between Jasper Avenue and 101A Avenue.
The CBA was part of the stewardship of the Harbin gate for three decades.
“We remain committed to advocating for the Greater Edmonton Chinese community and to supporting projects that reflect responsible stewardship, cultural authenticity, and genuine collaboration,” the CBA said. “Unfortunately, the Chinatown Gate project, as currently directed by Councillor Anne Stevenson, fail to meet those standards.”
Stevenson told reporters at city hall that discussions with the Chinese Benevolent Association began breaking down earlier this year. She said the CBA is one of many groups consulted on the gate.
“The city has no reason to build this gate, except for community,” said the councillor for Ward O-day’min. “That was the purpose and the intent, and I’m proud of the work that has been done and the groups that have been engaged.”
Mayor Andrew Knack says all groups involved in the new gate project were consulted on where they wanted to see the money spent.
“There have been meetings where that question was asked: ‘would people rather money be spent in other areas?’ And overwhelmingly the feedback from community organizations — including the CBA — was to continue with the Harbin Gate,” Knack stated.
Harbin, China, is Edmonton’s sister city.
–With files from Darcy Ropchan
