(Supplied/Gareth Scott)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

says he's not a "Career politician"

Red Deer businessman Gareth Scott vying for mayor’s seat

Jul 22, 2025 | 2:16 PM

Gareth Scott wants to be mayor of Red Deer to give back to the city after all he and his family have received from it.

It was originally his intent to seek a seat as councillor, but people in the community encouraged him to take a run at mayor, he shared in an interview with rdnewsNOW.

“My experience on the ground and in real life far outstrips the career politicians we have,” he said.

“After I’m elected mayor, because I will be, I won’t make promises based on anything I don’t know.”

Scott’s model, he says, is about making a better future for families, and a better city for all.

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“There are solutions to homelessness and to the addiction problem. I think there’s just been far too much chatter and not enough action, and that’s not to say it’s anybody’s particular fault, but I think it’s [about] lacking leadership in City Hall.”

Scott, a retired senior manager and journeyman millwright, as well as engineer by trade, says there are some “very, very good people” working on some heavy issues at the city, but he wants to facilitate change.

“[With housing], there’s a solution and it’s not an easy one. Part of it is red tape. It has to stop. We have to get to the point where when you comply with the bylaws, you can go and build, you don’t wait six months for a permit, or three months for a simple build of a house,” he says.

“I personally would fight very hard to get those roadblocks removed.”

As for what sets him apart, Scott elaborates on not being a “career politician.”

“I’ve spent the last 15-20 years of my life cleaning up big corporations, so I will come to City Hall with an action plan that is executable and deliverable,” he says.

“I’m able to attract councillors who are prepared to run now, but they’re not prepared to run for the status quo that’s in City Hall right now.”

Scott is up against councillors Lawrence Lee, Cindy Jefferies and Victor Doerksen, as well as challengers Sean Burke, John Gallagher and Avery Robinson.

The municipal election is set for Oct. 20.

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• READ MORE
  • First-time candidate Avery Robinson says he’s up for challenge of Red Deer mayor’s chair
  • Red Deer City Councillor Lawrence Lee running for mayor in 2025 election
  • Red Deer city councillor Victor Doerksen running for mayor in municipal election
  • Red Deer businessman Gareth Scott vying for mayor’s seat
  • Long-time Red Deer city councillor, Cindy Jefferies, again seeking mayor’s chair