Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan won’t seek re-election

Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan won’t seek re-election

Published 7:46 pm Monday, October 19, 2026

On the same day Albertans voted about the province’s future in confederation, Red Deer- South MLA Jason Stephan announced he will not seek re-election next fall.

Stephan announced on social media on Oct. 19 that when voters head to the poll for the 2026 provincial election, he will not be on the ballot.

The provincial election will be in a year. By such time, I will have served as MLA for over 8 years. It is time to step back. I will not be seeking re-election,” he said in the statement.

“There are many men and women in Red Deer South who could be excellent MLAs.

“Competitive nomination events run with integrity, with candidates treating each other with respect, produces unity and trust in democratic processes.

“Most families in Red Deer share conservative values, desiring freedom and prosperity for themselves and their children.

“We want time for successors to invite ALL to participate and vote in the upcoming election, to ensure the outcome is a true reflection of our majority.

Stephan’s decision came the same day as Albertans voted on 10 referendum questions. Question 10 asks:

Should Alberta remain a province of Canada, or should the Government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?
Option 1: Alberta should remain a province of Canada.

Option 2: The Government of Alberta should commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada.

It has been reported that Stephan voted in favour of option 2. In his letter on social media, he continued to show support for an independent Alberta.

“Canada could be the most free and prosperous nation on earth, but it is not.
The state of Texas ALONE, having a population about 10 million LESS than Canada, has a GDP that is about HALF TRILLION MORE than ALL of Canada. Why?” he asked in the letter.

“The OECD has predicted Canada will be the WORST performing economy among its 38 member countries in terms of GDP per capita growth, including 42% behind the US for the 2030-2060 period.

“The status quo is not the right way for Albertans. Empty words and platitudes do not make it otherwise. Some say they want UNITY, but their actions say otherwise. Does fearmongering, name-calling, labelling, and gaslighting produce unity? Yet, there is always hope in God, understanding truth, and aligning one’s life in it.”

Stephan, who has served as Red Deer MLA since being elected in 2019, touted the Red Deer hospital expansion, Red Deer College’s transition to a Polytechnic and a new drug recovery community, as well as the removal of the supervised consumption site among “good things” during his time as MLA in Red Deer.

“Thank you to family and friends who supported my efforts to seek freedom and prosperity for Albertans, a blessed land that I love,” he said.

More to come.