By Ken Johnston, Mayor of Red Deer

edition #2

This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: February 2022

Feb 27, 2022 | 8:00 AM

Welcome to ‘This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston,’ a new feature on rdnewsNOW.com, as of January 2022.

This month, all questions were submitted to the mayor by rdnewsNOW staff. Going forward, we invite you, the readers, to submit questions to us by messaging us on Facebook or by emailing news@rdnewsnow.com with the subject line: ‘Ask the Mayor,’ and it could be featured in a future edition. Questions must be submitted to rdnewsNOW by the 15th of the month, and should pertain to events of the current month. *Submissions must include a first and last name, and your neighbourhood for publication purposes.

This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston will be published on the final Sunday of each month.

1. With the anticipation of additional COVID-19 related restrictions being lifted in the coming weeks, how would you like to see Red Deerians respond, adapt, and treat each other during this transition?

We have all felt tremendous stress over the past two years with this pandemic, and this month as we see restrictions being lifted, we are once again navigating change and uncertainty. My hope as your Mayor is that Red Deerians can be kind and support one another as we navigate this period of change. We all want to return to what is most precious, the joy of fellowship, and that can only happen if we support one another. I want us to continue to show respect and support our fellow citizens. We can’t predict what the future will hold, but I am optimistic that we can return to a sense of normal in the near future.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

18h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

2. As the summer season approaches, along with the hopes of a rebounding economy in the months ahead, what potential do you see for downtown Red Deer to be part of that economic rebound locally? What sorts of projects or initiatives are currently in the works or should be considered to help make that happen?

The downtown is the heart of our community and city, and as our economy begins to rebound, so too will our downtown. Downtown is the place in our community where we gather, host festivals, and enjoy arts and culture. City council is committed to increasing the vibrancy and economic vitality of the downtown through a variety of avenues, including development and residential building grants in the greater downtown area, as well as rebates to assist in the demolition of structures that are no longer occupied or viable for future investment or use.

This past summer, e-scooters were a significant contributor to bringing more people and more activity to the downtown, and we look forward to seeing them back for a longer season again this year.

Capstone also had a very successful event season in 2021, with over 50 events hosted in Canada 150 Square and the Capstone area. The City is actively working with our businesses and numerous community partners to plan another exciting year of outdoor events in 2022.

3. With the City recently re-instituting the limited free parking program downtown, can you ever foresee parking becoming permanently free everywhere downtown? What evidence is there to show it is or isn’t feasible, and do you think pay parking deters people from coming downtown?

Red Deer’s downtown parking rates are in line with other similarly sized communities across the province and are considerably less than in Alberta’s two largest cities. Historically, we have seen that paid parking increases parking accessibility for consumers and motorists who need to move in and out of the downtown core throughout the day. However, The City is revisiting this to determine if that is still the best approach in today’s economic environment.

Last week, city council approved year-two of the temporary free downtown parking program, that sees every fifth metre marked free for up to two hours of parking. The results from this project are being studied by The City, and recommendations will be coming to city council with options for downtown parking moving forward.

4. What are your thoughts on the provincial government’s allocations for Red Deer?
*This question was submitted and answered prior to the budget reveal on Feb. 24

Following the Speech from the Throne on Tuesday and the announcement of capital investment in the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Wednesday, we are optimistic that the provincial budget will be a step forward into economic recovery, while responding to overall provincial health care needs and job creation. We are hearing loud and clear that our provincial government is looking to lead us out of the economic difficulties we have faced over the past several years, as well as the impacts COVID-19 has had on every Albertan.

We will be watching the provincial budget closely on Thursday, and our team will be analyzing it to determine direct impacts to our community, both positive and negative. We recognize that with any budget there will be areas that may experience a hit, but we hope these areas are balanced with continuation of provincial funding for our community and investment in capital projects like the hospital.

READ MORE: City of Red Deer pleased by 2022 provincial budget

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the Mayor and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.