Premier Danielle Smith has challenged Red Deer to imagine itself as the next city of one million people.
To most Red Deerians, this idea just feels wrong. Aside from being wildly impractical, this sentiment entirely misunderstands the charm and character of this city. Frankly, it sounds like saying, “Wouldn’t it be great if Red Deer was Edmonton or Calgary?”
Red Deer isn’t Calgary or Edmonton, and most people here don’t want it to be. For those who have lived here their whole lives, the idea of a million-person city sounds terrible – imagine the traffic! For those who’ve moved from larger cities, Red Deer offers something completely different – big enough to have amenities, yet small enough to be able to get connected quickly. And for those who have moved in from more rural places, Red Deer already represents a bigger center than they’re used to.
This isn’t to say Red Deer shouldn’t grow. In fact, I believe growth is essential to our future – but it must be growth that fits who we are as a city. At the same time, it’s disappointing that the voice with the biggest vision isn’t from here and doesn’t quite understand this place.
Red Deer is at an interesting point in its history. Though over a century old, it is still functionally a teenage city. More and more, we are faced with adult city problems, but we haven’t yet decided what we want to be when we grow up. The challenges that our city faces – housing and homelessness crises, infrastructure gaps, and economic uncertainty– are real and pressing. But these challenges also offer an opportunity.
Red Deer’s challenges often play out as debates between urban and rural perspectives. What feels like wonderful progress to some – bike lanes, denser housing, or community programs – can feel like a true threat to others.
These tensions don’t divide us; they define us. They’re what make Red Deer the most Albertan place, where urban ambition and rural roots constantly meet. As we grow into our identity, we are going to reclaim the lost art of balancing perspectives and finding the best of both worlds.
At its core, Red Deer is the most Albertan place. It sits at the intersection of urban and rural, embodying the best of both worlds. Its identity isn’t tied to its size but to its strategic location – a crossroads for commerce, culture, and community. By embracing bold, innovative approaches, we can address today’s challenges in ways that set the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Red Deer. This unique position gives Red Deer the potential to become the most strategically important city in Western Canada.
Red Deer’s future doesn’t lie in imitating Calgary or Edmonton. It lies in leaning into its strengths, embracing its unique place in Alberta, and addressing its challenges with creativity and determination. We’re going to need some made-in-Red-Deer solutions to our problems, and those solutions will come by doing things just a little bit differently. Red Deer isn’t just a city – it’s the most Albertan place.
With the right vision, Red Deer can grow into a city that embodies its heritage while embracing its future. Red Deer can be so much more.
Chad Krahn is a Red Deer city councillor.