Jason Stephan

Yesterday it was good to attend The City of Red Deer Mayor's Recognition Awards. It was great to see friends, many men and women, young and old, recognized for their service to our community. Congratulations!

$321 Billion is a NET number - Ottawa takes A LOT more from Albertans than what they give to Albertans. This is also a MASSIVE number - Alberta's entire operating budget expense last year was $74 Billion. What if Albertans got to keep this $321 Billion in Alberta?

I hope this "study" is free of bias. This study will require many assumptions some of which may not be correct. Will the study take into account savings for Albertans, including, but not limited to, avoiding the $20 BILLION PLUS annual NET welfare transfer to Ottawa?

Why has there never been a "study" quantifying the hundreds of BILLIONS of lost investment and the thousands of Alberta jobs resulting from policies and laws emanating out of Ottawa? Or a "study" quantifying the cumulative hundreds of BILLIONS of NET transfers taken by Ottawa from Alberta businesses and workers for "redistribution" elsewhere?

It is refreshing to see an op-ed not of fear mongering or name calling, but one that focuses on facts. Albertans "have carried water on both shoulders in taxes and equalization and transfer payments" and could be "the wealthiest per capita petrostate in the world". Unfortunately in Canada news links cannot be shared on Facebook.

Last night, tonight and tomorrow night, all are invited to Westerner Park for Red Deer Pro Rodeo! This is the first year for this event and it was great joining my friends Jeremy Moore and Shelly Flint board chair and CEO of the Westerner last night to watch rodeo. There is great energy in the Centrium at this event with many competitors from Central Alberta, a global hotbed for rodeo talent!

Yesterday Jen and I attended the March For Life at the Alberta legislature. Most countries have limits on abortion. But not Canada, along with China, Guinea, North Korea and Vietnam.

The role of mother is sacred. Our mothers love and do so much for us. We love them! They are wonderful! Thank you for your leadership and unselfish service in your families and in our communities. Happy Mothers Day!

Yesterday was a great day in Red Deer! In the morning, the Central Alberta Mayors Prayer Breakfast and in the evening, the Central Alberta Leaders Dinner with Premier Danielle Smith. Alberta is beautiful. It was great meeting many friends, men and women who love Alberta!

It is wonderful families and individuals at Home Church will be participating in the food drive for our Red Deer Food Bank. Red Deer families donated over 20,000 pounds in the drive last year!

Would you like to serve? It is easy. We will give you a map with about 100 homes and bags. You drop off a bag to each mailbox/door on the map next Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. It will take about an hour. Then on Saturday, April 25 between 10AM and noon, you pick up those bags our neighbors have filled with food and deliver those bags to our Food Bank (7429 49 Avenue).

I have participated in the food drive for over 10 years. It is simple and it is fun to do with friends or family members.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to participate in this community service.