OTTAWA — The United Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta has decided not to demote Jason Stephan, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Red Deer, despite his recent controversial remarks regarding the French language and the monarchy. Sam Blackett, a spokesperson for Premier Danielle Smith, stated, “(Mr.) Stephan’s views do not impede his work as the Parliamentary Secretary for Constitutional Affairs.”

In an op-ed published last week, Stephan criticized Ottawa’s official bilingualism policy, claiming it is “rigged against Alberta.” He pointed out that fewer than one percent of Albertans speak French exclusively. “Every year the federal government takes Albertans’ tax dollars and spends billions to artificially sustain this mandate through government programs, including minority-language education, second-language instruction, and subsidies for official language minority communities,” he wrote. He also argued that French proficiency requirements disadvantage Albertans competing for federal positions, such as judgeships.

Additionally, Stephan expressed his views on the monarchy in a statement written on official MLA letterhead in July. He suggested that Alberta should sever ties with the monarchy, describing the Crown as contrary to the province’s meritocratic values. “In Alberta, (w)e believe in earning your place — not inheriting it. Yet under our constitution, the Head of State (King Charles III) did not earn that position. He was born into it,” he stated. He further asserted, “Alberta doesn’t need a king. (It) needs more popular sovereignty, more checks and balances (and) more independence.”

Stephan did not attend the UCP’s official caucus swearing-in ceremony after his re-election in May 2023 but reportedly took an oath to the King later in the fall. Blackett clarified that Stephan’s opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the party. “MLAs are entitled to express their views as private members,” he noted.

UCP caucus communications director Shanna Schulhauser also supported Stephan’s right to express his opinions. “We’ve been letting his columns stand as-is,” she wrote in an email.

Stephan was appointed as the UCP government’s parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs in May, where he reports to Attorney General Mickey Amery. The party indicated that Stephan would play a significant role in asserting Alberta’s constitutional rights, particularly in resource development and defending the province’s interests against Ottawa. This appointment followed Stephan’s statement that he wanted to see a question on independence included in next year’s referendum ballot.

He has been vocal about his belief that confederation is not beneficial for Alberta. When questioned about Stephan’s endorsement of a referendum, Smith responded, “We all have different ideas about how we get respect from Ottawa … I’m not going to be demonizing anybody who may have a different view than me.”

While Smith has expressed a personal desire for Alberta to remain in Canada, she stated she would consider putting an independence question to Albertans next year if enough signatures are gathered. In a recent interview, she identified herself as a “monarchist” who supports King Charles III’s role as head of state.

A recent poll indicated that 48 percent of UCP voters and 46 percent of all Albertans support the monarchy, with King Charles III holding a net favorability rating of plus-22 in the province. Stephan did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.