Red Deer-South

Red Deer-South covers the city's neighbourhoods below the Red Deer River, extending through established communities and newer suburban developments on Red Deer's growing southern edge. The riding shares many of the same economic and social dynamics as its northern counterpart, with strong ties to the energy service sector and a population that has grappled with the intertwined challenges of the opioid crisis and economic volatility. Jason Stephan won the seat for the UCP in 2019 and served as a backbencher known for his fiscally conservative positions and willingness to publicly question government spending decisions, sometimes putting him at odds with his own caucus.

Candidates

Jason Stephan (United Conservative) — The incumbent MLA, first elected in 2019. A tax lawyer, chartered professional accountant, and University of Calgary law gold medalist, Stephan had founded CA Tax Law and co-founded the Red Deer Taxpayers' Association. He was known as an outspoken fiscal conservative within the UCP caucus and occasionally broke with the government on spending matters. He championed the UCP's introduction of a new 8 per cent tax bracket on incomes up to $60,000.

Michelle Baer (NDP) — The City of Red Deer's solicitor since 2012, managing the municipal legal and legislative departments and providing advice to city council. Baer had previously practised law at Chapman Reibeek LLP and had worked as a program manager for Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services. She volunteered with refugee sponsorship efforts and had organized the sponsorship of two families since 2015. She defeated two other candidates, including former NDP MLA Barb Miller, for the nomination.

Ashley Macdonald (Green Party) — The Green Party candidate in Red Deer-South.

Jesse Stretch (Wildrose Loyalty Coalition) — The Wildrose Loyalty Coalition candidate, representing a fringe party that had broken from the mainstream conservative movement.

Local Issues

The opioid crisis and its intersection with homelessness remained the most visible issue in Red Deer-South heading into the 2023 election. The challenges radiating from the city's downtown — social disorder, property crime, and the strain on emergency services — affected residents across both Red Deer ridings. By 2023, the conversation had evolved from debates over whether to have an overdose prevention site to broader questions about housing-first approaches, addiction treatment capacity, and mental health services. The UCP government announced plans for a recovery-oriented system of care, while the NDP criticized what it described as inadequate investment in the social infrastructure needed to address root causes.

The economic picture in Red Deer-South brightened somewhat between 2019 and 2023 as energy prices recovered from the 2020 crash. However, the rebound was uneven, and many service-sector workers and small businesses had not fully recovered from the pandemic's disruptions. Affordability was a growing concern, with rising food and housing costs eroding the gains from improved employment numbers. Stephan's emphasis on tax reduction and fiscal restraint appealed to the riding's business community, while Baer focused on public services and the cost of living.

Healthcare was a major campaign issue in Red Deer-South, as it was across the province. The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre served as the primary acute-care facility for central Alberta, and capacity pressures, surgical backlogs, and emergency department wait times were tangible concerns for voters. The UCP's proposals to involve private delivery in reducing surgical wait lists drew support from some residents and opposition from others who worried about the erosion of universal public healthcare.