Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan will not seek re-election in 2027
Stephan made the announcement on social media the same day thousands of Albertans voted on referendum questions, including one on separation.
Why it matters
The vacancy opens a nomination contest for a Red Deer-area seat ahead of the 2027 provincial election.
Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan announced Monday night he will not run again in the 2027 provincial election. By the time of that vote, he said, he will have served more than eight years as MLA and believes it is time to step back.
Stephan was first elected in Red Deer-South in 2019 and re-elected in May 2023. In his statement, he said Red Deer has seen positive developments during his tenure, including a hospital expansion, Red Deer College's transition to a polytechnic, a new drug recovery community, and the closure of the drug consumption site.
He called for competitive nomination events run with integrity to find his successor, saying most Red Deer families hold conservative values and deserve a fair chance to choose the next candidate. Stephan also criticized Canada's economic performance, citing an OECD prediction that Canada will be the worst-performing economy among its 38 member countries for GDP per capita growth between 2030 and 2060.
His announcement coincided with a day when thousands of Albertans cast votes on 10 referendum questions, including one on provincial separation.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.