Kenneth Charles Johnston[4] (born c. 1954)[5][6] is a Canadian politician. He has served as the mayor of Red Deer, Alberta since 2021.
Ken Johnston | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Red Deer, Alberta | |
| Assumed office October 25, 2021[1] | |
| Preceded by | Tara Veer |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse(s) | Isabelle (m. 1978; died 2017)[2] Carolyn (m. 2023)[2] |
| Children | 2[3] |
| Occupation | Bank manager |
Early life
editOriginally from Newfoundland, Johnston moved to Alberta in 1980.[2] He moved to Red Deer in 1996.[1]
Before entering politics, Johnston worked for 40 years as a personal financial planner with Scotiabank.[3] He is the past president of the Red Deer Rotary Club.[7]
Electoral career
editIn May 2013, Johnston announced he was running for a seat on Red Deer City Council in the October 2013 Red Deer municipal election.[5] Johnston was elected to the eight-seat body, winning over 7,000 votes, finishing sixth in the at-large race. During his first term as councillor, Johnston cited the economic downturn that the province had in 2015 was one of the council's greatest challenges.[8]
Johnston ran for re-election to council in the 2017 elections, promising to focus on community safety, policing and hospital expansion if elected.[8] He was re-elected, finishing sixth again, winning another 7,000 votes.
While on council, he was one of the few members who opposed shutting down the Cannery Row homeless shelter without an alternative in place.[9]
Following the decision of mayor Tara Veer to run for re-election, in August 2021 Johnston announced he was going run for city's top job in the 2021 municipal elections, stating that "its critical... that we have a mayor who has proven leadership in the community, in professional life, and the administrative life at city hall... who can lead, collaborate and serve with a dynamic council team toward a greater Red Deer". He stated his platform would highlight economic recovery, community safety, crime prevention, fiscal management, stronger neighbourhoods, regional partnership and health care equity advocacy.[7] Johnston was elected as mayor of Red Deer on election day in a landslide. One of his opponents suggested Johnston was elected because the vote was split among Johnston's more conservative challengers, though Johnston won a majority of the vote.[9] Following his election, he stated his main priority would be "addressing downtown revitalization, including the social housing/homelessness crisis".[10]
As mayor, he has continued to call on the provincial government for the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital in the wake of the death of a patient who was waiting in the emergency room there.[11]
In 2024, Johnston stated he was opposed to the provincial government's proposal to allow for political parties at the municipal level.[12]
Personal life
editWhile serving as mayor, Johnston married his former sister-in-law Carolyn in a backyard ceremony in August 2023. Carolyn was previously married to Johnston's brother, who had died in 2016.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Meet the Mayor: Ken Johnston takes his oath for the City of Red Deer". Cental Alberta Online. October 26, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston remarries — with a slight push from providence". Red Deer Advocate. August 24, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mayor Ken Johnston". City of Red Deer. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Obituary of Isabelle Ann JOHNSTON". McInnis & Holloway. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Johnston running for city council". Red Deer Advocate. May 16, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Rookie councillors looking forward to contributing". Red Deer Advocate. December 23, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Councillor Johnston enters race for mayor in Red Deer". RD News Now. August 23, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ken Johnston seeks another term on council". Red Deer Advocate. June 7, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ken Johnston is Red Deer's new mayor". Red Deer Advocate. October 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Downtown revitalization, social housing among Johnston's top priorities". Red Deer Advocate. October 20, 2021. p. A4. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Calls grow for province to fully commit to Red Deer hospital expansion after patient dies in ER". CBC. January 26, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Red Deer mayor, council members, staunchly against party politics at municipal level". RD News Now. March 20, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.