FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Business Leader Voices Support for Hybrid Workforce and Calls for Balanced Discussion on Downtown Economic Challenges
EDMONTON, AB — February 5, 2026 — Greg N. Reimer, President and CEO of The Goldfire Group, is speaking out in support of Edmonton’s evolving hybrid workforce, emphasizing the long-term benefits of flexible work arrangements while encouraging a more balanced conversation around the economic challenges facing the downtown core.
Reimer, a long-time business owner and employer, says recent public discussion has unfairly placed blame on remote workers for reduced downtown business activity, overlooking the broader economic and societal changes that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As business owners, we remember very clearly when uncertainty took hold during COVID,” said Reimer. “Business slowed dramatically, and people pulled back because no one knew what lay ahead. Isolation was the only protection available until vaccines were developed and society better understood how to manage the risks.”
Reimer noted that public health measures such as masking, sanitation practices, and reduced physical contact fundamentally changed how businesses and employees operated. Many organizations adapted by implementing remote and hybrid work models that allowed businesses to continue functioning while protecting staff and customers.
He expressed agreement with recent comments from Mayor Andrew Knack and representatives of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), who have advocated for respecting hybrid work arrangements as a permanent part of the modern workforce.
The Benefits of Working From Home
Drawing from nearly three decades of experience working alongside a long-term technical specialist in a home-based business environment, Reimer says the benefits of hybrid and remote work extend beyond convenience and directly contribute to productivity and employee well-being.
Among the key benefits identified:
- Improved health and performance through better sleep and reduced commuting stress
- Increased productivity, as employees spend less time preparing for and traveling to work
- Reduced personal costs, including fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance, and daycare expenses
- Greater work-life balance, allowing more time with family and personal responsibilities
- Higher employee satisfaction, leading to stronger retention and workplace morale
- More flexible collaboration, including periodic in-person meetings and social gatherings that strengthen team relationships
“Working from home does not mean working less,” Reimer said. “In many cases, it means working smarter. When employees are trusted and supported, productivity increases and workplace culture improves.”
A Call for Broader Solutions
Reimer acknowledges that downtown businesses have experienced reduced foot traffic but cautions against attributing the issue solely to remote workers. He argues that economic recovery requires broader planning, innovation, and adaptation from both business and government.
“There is a wealth of evidence-based research supporting hybrid work models,” he said. “Blaming workers ignores deeper issues, including corporate mismanagement, understaffing, and outdated operational models that no longer reflect how people live and work today.”
He added that modern leadership should focus on building trust between management and employees, investing in staff development, and creating environments where both businesses and workers can succeed.
“Businesses and government can do better,” Reimer concluded. “The results people are searching for come from collaboration, not blame.”
Best Regards,
Greg N Reimer
CEO, President & Head of Business Development
The Goldfire Group
📍 Address: Edmonton, AB
📞 Office: (780) 457-0799
📱 Mobile: (780) 556-8097
📧 Email: gregreimer@thegoldfiregroup.com
🔗 Main Site: https://thegoldfiregroup.com
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