Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston, seen here in his City Hall office, spoke this week with rdnewsNOW and The Everything Red Deer Podcast about the idea of Alberta separating from Canada. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

hard pass, says mayor

Podcast: Red Deer mayor against Alberta separation, but open to referendum so it can send a message

May 16, 2025 | 11:08 AM

Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston is convinced that if a referendum was held tomorrow asking Albertans if the province should separate from Canada, the result would be a resounding no.

Johnston, who’s leading Alberta’s third-largest city only until the municipal election this fall, spoke on the hot button subject to rdnewsNOW and The Everything Red Deer Podcast on May 13.

A born-and-bred Newfoundlander, Johnston said Alberta is the best part of Canada, and he expressed his total opposition to the idea of secession.

“I wouldn’t at all be nervous about it. I really think there are people who are saying, ‘Please, let’s just send a signal to Canada, to our own citizens, and to the world,'” he said.

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Johnston suggested people simply watch the anthem at the start of an Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Playoffs game if they want a true indication about how much Canadian patriotism really lives in the hearts of most Albertans.

He also said if we’re to look at the decades-long separation discussion in Quebec, it would suggest the debate has fractured families and communities.

“If it’s as fundamental as people think it should be, then let those voices be heard; but this Albertan is quite resolved around the unity of this country and our place in this country,” Johnston remarked. “I think this should be settled sooner than later.”

While that’s Johnston’s ultimate view on separation, he does believe Alberta and its citizens have every right to be asking Ottawa for better treatment.

He cites the “onerous” Bill C-69 — often referred to as the ‘anti-pipelines act’; he also points to Bill C-48, or the ‘anti-tanker ban’ legislation; finally, Johnston laments the federal oil and gas emissions cap — all regulations he believes are unhelpful, if not harmful, to Alberta.

“Those two bill have to go…we’re capable of meeting our energy targets, not by capping production, but with sequestration and alternative energy,” he said.

It’s in those areas and more where Johnston believes Alberta can be a role model.

“Alberta has the greatest opportunity to lead the charge, and show the rest of Canada how its resources can be effectively moved from one coast to the other, [as well] how it can environmentally position itself — which it already has — as a leader,” he said.

“When our Prime Minister says Canada has the opportunity to be an energy super power, he surely is positioning Alberta squarely into that piece.”

But that begged the question: If Alberta is even entertaining its separation from the rest of Canada, to be a sovereign entity, does that not put Alberta at the back of the pack, as opposed to positioning itself as one at the helm?

Johnston’s response was partially that public service is a balance, and that involves a great number of perspectives where often many have to get left behind; he also said there is a point where it becomes non-constructive.

“[That’s when] you start diminishing the certainty around what business needs, what our country needs to be vital, how we’re positioning ourselves to the investment community, and to other provinces in terms of our own reputation,” he said.

“Do we have a right as Albertans to say we want more recognition and understanding, and less dabbling, directly or indirectly, in our affairs? We have every right. I understand the angst and frustrations, but separation is not a way to express that.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, meantime, continues to push the legislation, though amendments were announced Wednesday which are aimed at easing the concerns of the many First Nations who’ve stood up in response to this debate and expressed hard opposition.

The proposed legislation would require 177,000 signatures on a petition to get a referendum — on any question — as opposed to the currently required 600,000. It would also give those organizing a petition 120 days to collect said signatures, instead of the current 90.

A late Wednesday news release from the UCP and Justice Minister Mickey Amery, stated the legislation, if passed, would contain a clause which promises that nothing in a referendum under the Act is to deviate from existing Treaty rights — as upheld by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Another amendment would disallow mail-in ballots for only non-constitutional referendums, thereby protecting the process’s integrity, the government asserts.

The amendments aren’t garnering much traction with Indigenous communities, with Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Bill-Joe Tuccaro, saying in a statement that they “mean nothing.”

Premier Smith has also continued to insist she’s against separation for Alberta — so is Mayor Johnston buying what she’s selling?

“I certainly empathize with the premier in terms of the frustrations she’s hearing from Albertans. She’s in an extremely complex and challenging role. I’ll reference the 12 years I’ve had in public life, and 3.5 as mayor — there are many, many voices which have a right to be heard,” he stated.

“If there was ever a time to rally together as Canadian, this is it. This isn’t the time to think about how we could fracture our country.”