Former premier Ed Stelmach joins campaign opposing Alberta separation

EDMONTON — Former Alberta premier Ed Stelmach is lending his support to the Vote to Stay campaign, encouraging Albertans to reject separation and support the province’s future within a united Canada.

Stelmach announced his endorsement on Canada Day, joining the growing campaign opposing Alberta separatism and promoting the province’s continued place in Confederation.

Alberta’s 13th premier, Stelmach served in the province’s highest political office from 2006 to 2011 after holding several cabinet positions and beginning his public service career in municipal government.

A lifelong farmer from Lamont and the grandson of Ukrainian immigrants, Stelmach built a reputation during his political career for his measured approach to public service and his strong connections to rural Alberta.

“Albertans have never faced challenges by walking away. We’ve always met them by rolling up our sleeves, working together, and building something better,” Stelmach said.

“I believe our future is strongest as part of Canada, where Albertans can continue to build, lead, and make our country better.”

Stelmach said he is proud to support Vote to Stay and encouraged Albertans who favour a strong province within a united Canada to join the campaign.

Former Alberta deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, a close political associate of Stelmach, said the former premier’s personal history and public service give added weight to his support for Canadian unity.

“Premier Stelmach is an exemplary Canadian who understands the importance of Alberta remaining in Canada,” Lukaszuk said.

“His family homesteaded in Canada for generations and he maintains that family tradition as an Alberta farmer. He also understands that Canada has been built by immigrants from all over the world, and he proudly maintains his Ukrainian culture and traditions.”

Ken Trenton, a former employee of the Progressive Conservative caucus, said Stelmach’s position should carry weight with Albertans considering the province’s future.

“If he believes we’re better as Canadians, Albertans should listen,” Trenton said.

Vote to Stay founder and former federal cabinet minister Monte Solberg welcomed the endorsement, saying Stelmach’s experience and credibility could help the campaign reach Albertans, particularly in rural communities.

“Ed Stelmach represents the values that have always made Alberta strong: hard work, community, optimism, and common sense,” Solberg said.

“His voice carries tremendous credibility, particularly in rural Alberta, and we’re honoured to have his support.”

Vote to Stay describes itself as a grassroots movement of Albertans committed to keeping the province within Canada.

The campaign has been building support as debate over Alberta’s constitutional future and the possibility of a provincial independence referendum continue to attract political attention.

Stelmach’s endorsement adds another prominent conservative voice to the federalist campaign and brings the perspective of a former premier with deep roots in rural Alberta to the debate.

The former premier has remained active in community and public life since leaving provincial politics, maintaining close connections to Lamont and Alberta’s agricultural community.