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An archival photo/screenshot of Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan speaking in the Alberta Legislature.
made decision in april

MLA Jason Stephan steps down as Parliamentary Secretary for Constitutional Affairs

May 26, 2026 | 5:07 PM

Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan has resigned from his role as parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs.

In fact, Stephan did this in April, but it wasn’t made public until a CBC report this week.

Stephan, who was appointed to the constitutional affairs post in May 2025, has drawn ire in recent months with written commentary that seemed to place him in favour of Alberta separating from Canada.

In one op-ed, he openly encouraged Albertans to sign the Stay Free Alberta petition in support of separatism.

rdnewsNOW reached out to both the premier’s office and Stephan himself for comment.

“The MLA for Red Deer–South is a valued member of our UCP caucus,” says Sam Blackett, press secretary to Premier Smith.

“He chose to resign earlier this year from his role as Parliamentary Secretary but made it clear he is very supportive of the work of our government.”

In March, following the aforementioned op-ed, the Opposition NDP called for Stephan to be removed from caucus — which did not happen.

Stephan did not respond to our request for comment by end of day, but his comments will be added if he provides any.