In the Know: Red Deer Hot Topics

Looking for the facts on the issues everyone’s talking about? This page is your go-to source for clear, accurate, and up-to-date information on important City topics - giving you a quick snapshot of the facts and background you need to understand what’s happening – and why it matters.

Hot Topics

Emergency Services

On The Record:

Dear Red Deerians,
 
We want to speak directly to you about Emergency Services staffing in our city. Let us be clear: The City of Red Deer is not compromising your safety. We continue to deliver exceptional emergency response, meeting our longstanding established target of arriving within 10 minutes, 90% of the time for all reported structure fires.

Until now, we have not publicly responded to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1190, also known as the Red Deer Firefighters Association. This union is made up of City employees, and we value the work they do. Like the union, we believe every second counts. And every dollar counts too. That is why we have chosen not to engage in a costly public labour dispute using taxpayer money. We will not spend taxpayer money on advertisements or lawn signs. Instead, we are sharing facts, statistics, and information on our website as we continue to be transparent and responsive to our community while working through ongoing labour negotiations with the union. Arbitration with the union is scheduled for 2026.

Why dynamic staffing?

Action was required in 2025 to reduce overtime costs. In 2024, overtime in Emergency Services totaled more than $3.2 million - the highest per capita in Alberta. Comparable Alberta cities with similar population and staffing levels spend less than $1 million annually. These costs were continuing to climb and placing significant pressure on property taxes. Here is what that means for you as a taxpayer: every $1.5 million in budget changes equals about a 1%  increase in property taxes.

During the 2025 budget process, City Council faced difficult decisions – decisions that are not made by one individual, but by Council as a whole, informed by administration, debated in open meetings, and weighed against all community needs. Emergency Services funding currently makes up approximately 17% of the City’s overall budget, representing a significant investment in emergency services and community safety. To limit unsustainable overtime costs while still meeting service targets, Council approved dynamic staffing.

What does dynamic staffing mean?

Dynamic staffing is designed to be flexible and is applied only when employees call in last minute and cannot work their scheduled shift. When it happens, four or more firefighters are still dispatched to every fire-related call. In some cases, this means even more resources arrive at your door, spread across two trucks instead of one.

And the results speak for themselves:

  • In 2024, there were 1,920 overtime shifts.
  • In 2025 to date, there have been 160 overtime shifts - a 90% reduction so far.
  • Dynamic staffing has reduced the money spent on overtime by more than $1 million between January and July 2025.

The bigger picture

Budget pressures are not unique to Emergency Services. Every department is finding ways to meet rising demands with limited resources. Parks crews are cleaning up more encampments than ever before. Police are responding to increasingly complex calls. And at the same time, federal and provincial downloading of responsibilities continues to strain our local budget.

As your local government, we are working hard every day to deliver safe, reliable, and consistent services. Sometimes that means change. Change can be uncomfortable, and it is not always popular, but sometimes it is necessary to keep Red Deer safe, affordable, and sustainable for the long term. 

On respect and professionalism

We also want to acknowledge the role of IAFF Local 1190 in advocating for its members. Advocacy is part of their job. However, their current activities - unprofessional billboards and public campaigns - do not change the facts. Even more concerning are personal attacks aimed at our Fire Chief and Deputy Chiefs. It is natural for decisions made by The City to generate both support and criticism in our community; however, it is also important that feedback, regardless of where it comes from, remains respectful. Personal attacks on any City staff are unproductive and will not be tolerated.

Our commitment to you

Dynamic staffing is an overtime reduction strategy. It ensures Red Deer remains safe while your tax dollars are managed responsibly. We encourage all citizens to understand this issue and to find out more.
 
We support safe staffing, we support our employees, and we support the residents we serve.

Thank you for taking the time to understand this important issue.

Sincerely,

Mayor Ken Johnston
The City of Red Deer

City Manager Tara Lodewyk
The City of Red Deer

Related Resources

Find out more at reddeer.ca/emergencyservices.

Highway 2 Widening Project

The Province of Alberta is leading a project to widen Highway 2 between 32 Street and Highway 11 to improve safety on one of the province’s most collision-prone corridors. This is a Provincial project, not a City-led initiative. For full project details or media inquiries, please contact the Government of Alberta or visit alberta.ca/highway-2-improvements-in-the-red-deer-area. 

Key Facts:

  • This is a Provincial highway safety project designed to reduce collisions. 
  • Minor pre-construction impacts are expected in portions of Maskepetoon Park, Heritage Ranch, and the Red Deer River. 
  • The City of Red Deer continues to work with the Province to protect the Waskasoo Park System. 
  • Environmental and Indigenous considerations are being addressed by the Province. 

NOTE: A Government of Alberta public information session will be held on July 15 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the iHotel on 67 Street. 

Housing Accelerator Fund 2 (HAF2)

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF2) has been a hot topic in our community, with many residents taking the time to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas with us. We appreciate the strong level of engagement, as it reflects how much Red Deerians care about their neighbourhoods and housing future. Following these conversations and public participation sessions, City Council has decided not to move forward with a blanket four-units-as-of-right zoning change. Instead, we are continuing to explore other ways to increase housing options that better align with local needs and community priorities.

You can read all about HAF2 at reddeer.ca/HAF2. Here is a snapshot of where we are now:

Council Will Not Proceed with Blanket Four-Units-As-of-Right

City Council has decided not to move forward with a citywide zoning change to allow four units as-of-right. Instead, Administration will continue exploring housing solutions that better align with local needs and community feedback.

Housing Options Remain a Priority

The City remains committed to increasing housing supply. Other planning tools and strategies will continue to be explored to help meet housing targets in ways that respond to the needs of our city.

Federal Funding and Local Decision-Making

While the $12 million federal Housing Accelerator Fund grant is designed to accelerate housing development, local zoning decisions remain within the City’s control. The City will continue to advocate for flexibility to use funding in ways that meet community needs, such as supportive and affordable housing.

Ongoing Transparency and Engagement

Your input matters. We will continue to keep residents informed and engaged as housing discussions progress, ensuring decisions reflect both community priorities and Red Deer’s long-term housing goals.

On The Record:

“Red Deerians want more housing options, but they do not support applying Four Units As-of-Right as a blanket zoning change. We know the housing challenge in Red Deer is real and urgent, and Council remains committed to finding solutions that balance that urgency with the values and priorities of our community.

We want to thank everyone who shared their perspectives. The input we received was invaluable and will continue to guide our efforts as we work to increase housing availability in a way that makes sense for Red Deer.” - Mayor Ken Johnston.

Fibre optics installation: Red Deer

F3 Networks Canada Inc. (F3) is constructing a new fibre-optic infrastructure across Red Deer. TELUS has partnered with F3 to deliver its PureFibre services over this network, promising faster, more reliable internet speeds. Importantly, this is a project led by F3 - not The City of Red Deer. All questions or concerns should be directed to F3.

Additional information

Key Facts:

Project Lead: F3 Networks Canada Inc. (registered telecommunications carrier with the CRTC), partnered with TELUS for PureFibre service.
Timeline: Construction is taking place in 2025 and will continue into 2026.
Construction Zones: Work occurs along streets - typically in boulevards (between sidewalk and property) and within utility right-of-ways. Up to 10 neighbourhoods may be active at once.
Installation Techniques: Directional drilling is used to minimize surface disruption. Hydrovac and small excavations are common, followed by backfilling and later surface restoration (topsoil, grass seed, asphalt/concrete repair as needed).
Connection to Homes: Main fibre lines alongside streets and stubs at each property (no permission required there). Individual service lines into private property (requires homeowner permission). F3 reps will go door-to-door: First visit to gather homeowner interest (sign-up form), later visit to determine specific connection location and obtain formal permission. Before construction, utility locates are done to mark underground services. Hydrovac excavations are flagged and secured. Directional drills install conduits and leave a coil (in a green container) at each lot’s boundary; service boxes (approximately one per eight homes) are placed in the right-of-way. After conduit installation and backfilling, crews return to restore lawns, asphalt, and concrete surfaces.

What residents need to know?

  • Direct installation questions or concerns: Contact F3 Networks Canada Inc. directly - they’re fully responsible for all fibre-related activity.
  • Notice damage to City infrastructure or disruptions: Report it using the Report a Problem tool, or call the main City line at 403-342-8111. The City will route it to the proper department - whether Public Works, Utilities, or Engineering - to investigate and respond.
  • Road safety hazards or settling ground after excavation: These fall under the City’s Construction & Maintenance teams. You can report these to Environmental Services (for water, sewer, or storm concerns) or Parks & Public Works (for concrete, asphalt, landscaping) via Report a Problem.

Contact Info:

Direct inquiries to F3 Networks
Email: Customerservice@F3Networks.ca
Phone: 778-200-9100