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By rdnewsNOW

Jason Stephan: United Conservative Party

Jason Stephan: United Conservative Party

May 18, 2023 | 4:16 PM

Hello readers,

Each candidate from the four constituencies we are covering this election season have been issued the same questionnaire. This candidate’s biography and their answers can be found below. Our questionnaire had a limit of 500 words, and the bio 150. A / at the end indicates they went over.

The opinions and thoughts expressed by each candidate are their own, and are not endorsed by rdnewsNOW.

For more Alberta Election 2023 coverage, visit our dedicated Alberta Votes page.

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Biography

I graduated from Lindsay Thurber High School, attended Red Deer College and completed my schooling at the University of Calgary with degrees in business (1997) and law (2002, gold medalist for highest academic standing). I am also a Chartered Accountant / CPA.

Jen and I raised our family in Red Deer.  Prior to my election, I had a successful tax law practice serving Central Alberta businesses.  I was also president of the Red Deer Taxpayers’ Association.

I am active in my local church, with a particular love for serving young adults.

I love hiking, sailing, and back packing. I was a good runner, recording a sub three-hour marathon and completing an Ironman triathlon.

During my first term as MLA, I am most happy with the $1.8 billion investment in our Hospital, Red Deer College graduating to Red Deer Polytechnic, and the opening of the Red Deer Addiction Recovery Community.

Questions

1. What made you decide to run in this provincial election?

My wife and I felt it was the right thing to do.

2. Why should constituents vote for you? What skill sets and experience do you have that make you a good fit for the role of MLA?

Throughout my term as MLA, I have stood for principles calculated to promote freedom and prosperity for Albertans.   I am willing to speak up on important issues even if it questions the status quo.

I am a person of faith and it informs how I want to serve – loving and serving our neighbors, while seeking and sharing the truth in a respectful way.

We are leading Canada in economic growth with all of us benefiting directly or indirectly from our strong energy sector.  We have balanced the provincial budget and have tax revenues to afford vital public services

I am excited about our UCP tax cut with a new 8% tax bracket for all Albertans’ incomes up to $60,000.   This 20% tax cut will benefit all Albertans, including many families over $1,500 every year!

3. From your perspective, what are the most important issues in this election, both provincially and in your riding specifically?

Provincially: freedom and prosperity.  While Trudeau is wrecking Canada, families outside of Alberta see our land of opportunity and there is record migration INTO Alberta.  Under the NDP there was net migration OUT of Alberta.

Alberta is the most attractive jurisdiction to start and grow a business.  The NDP fails to understand we need a strong private sector to pay for a public sector.

Under the NDP there was a net LOSS of private sector jobs in Alberta.  Many families in Red Deer, including in the oil and gas sector, suffered under the NDP.

Locally: our Hospital. The NDP did nothing for the Hospital when in government.  We are investing $1.8 billion in our Hospital.  This is the largest single capital investment in Alberta.  This will improve health outcomes for families in Central Alberta.

The reason why the Hospital expansion is not occurring faster is due to AHS and bureaucratic incompetence.  They need to earn back trust.

In spite of them, this expansion is advancing, and Dialog (www.dialogdesign.ca) has been hired and is working on the construction design.   They will be required to give regular updates to Central Albertans on expansion progress.

4. What is your main message to voters, especially those who may be undecided?

In my experiences with the Premier Smith, I have found her to be friendly, personable, kind, and hard working.  She listens, is open minded and admits mistakes.  Albertans like that.

Albertans do not like mean, personal attacks.  Because the NDP cannot run on their record, they are resorting to fearmongering and sometimes lying, such as alleging that Albertans will have to pay to see a doctor under Premier Smith.  That is a lie.

Compare our records: which government grew private sector jobs? decreased income taxes? balanced the budget? paid down debt? grew the economy? supported parental choice in education? Which government will give you more freedom and prosperity?

Alberta is a land of freedom and prosperity.  We must be vigilant to keep it that way.