OTTAWA — Jason Stephan, a member of the Alberta United Conservative Party, is reaffirming his support for a referendum on Alberta's independence, which he believes is essential for expressing the will of the people. In a recent interview, Stephan emphasized the need for Albertans to voice their opinions on the province's future within Canada, citing a decade of what he describes as detrimental Liberal policies that have pushed Alberta to its limits.

"Alberta has unfortunately suffered greatly under the government that we have in Ottawa, and I’m very much in favour of a robust public discussion about something that has impacted Albertans so deeply," Stephan stated. He believes that a referendum would facilitate a meaningful dialogue, allowing residents to consider factual information and make informed choices.

While Stephan did not disclose how he would personally vote in the referendum, he expressed his intention to gather accurate information before making a decision. "I’d look to arm myself with the truth, as best as I understand it, and then make a decision based on the merits. My hope would be for each and every Albertan to do the same," he said.

Stephan also commented on the question proposed by the pro-independence group Alberta Prosperity Project (APP), which asks, "Do you agree that Alberta shall become a Sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada?" He described the question as fair and straightforward, stating, "I do have faith and confidence in the merit of the question the APP has put forward. It’s pretty clean, clear and unambiguous."

He criticized Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, for referring the question to the courts, which has delayed the APP's ability to collect signatures until at least winter. Stephan views this judicial review as indicative of a concerning trend of courts encroaching on legislative matters. He aims to address this issue in his role as the UCP government's parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs, a position he assumed in late May.

As a trained lawyer, Stephan warned that activist judges could signal a potential crisis in Canada’s constitutional framework. "Our judiciary is a very important institution, but when we see courts moving into areas that are clearly outside of our lane, that’s where you start to see an erosion of trust among the public," he explained. He likened the Constitution to a house's foundation, stating, "Once that foundation erodes, unfortunately, it puts the whole house at risk of caving in."

In July, Stephan stirred controversy among conservatives when he suggested that Alberta should sever ties with King Charles III. He stood by this statement, asserting, "Symbols matter. Having a figurehead king makes it easier for us to have a de facto king between elections."

He referenced the period between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s victory in the Liberal leadership race and the subsequent federal election as an example of this concern. Stephan expressed his support for a system of checks and balances similar to that of the United States, while acknowledging that President Donald Trump has tested the limits of that system.

"Unfortunately, the current president sometimes acts in ways that we haven’t seen from other presidents, but I don’t think I’d define the U.S. system and its success by reference to one president," he said.

Stephan emphasized his belief in popular sovereignty, stating, "I’m a pretty big fan of the principle of popular sovereignty." He sees his role in the potential referendum campaign as one of providing honest information rather than advocating for a specific side. "If there’s lying or fear-mongering, I will speak up to refute that," he said. "I think it’s my duty to speak the truth as best as I understand it. I’ve done that and I will continue to do that."