DIANNE WYNTJES

ABOUT DIANNE...

Hello Red Deer citizens and voters, 

I acknowledge the ancestral and traditional aboriginal territories of Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 Nations and the Metis People.  

Thank you for your support and confidence over the past years and this past Council term as I have served as one of Red Deer's eight City Councillors. I was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021.  It has been an honour to serve, listen, respond and represent our community.  I have not stopped the learning and appreciation for our city, the conversations with Red Deer citizens and helping to respond to the challenges and opportunities with you.

It has been a privilege to work for you as a Councillor and continue to serve you, bringing my knowledge and experience and passion for our community to the role of Council. Thank you to the Mayor and Councillors I have served with this past term, and acknowledgement to all the candidates who are putting their name on the ballot for the 2025 Red Deer Municipal Election. I will bring experience,  knowledge and commitment to our community at the Council table, with the many complex and challenging issues.  There is value in having Councillors who bring experience and knowledge of the issues for Council decisions; at the same time there is value with new Councillor voices as we work together to make decisions for Red Deer.

I have lived in Red Deer since 1975 and have seen our City grow, change and continue to evolve.  Raised and growing up on a farm in central Alberta in the Diamond Valley district west of Red Deer, I recognize and value both urban and rural issues in our region and the importance of municipal relationships in the central Alberta region, including with Red Deer County. This past term, I served on the Regional Collaboration Committee to reach agreement on the Intermunicipal Development Plan which set the stage for City, regional growth and collaboration opportunities.  As Red Deer continues to be a growing and evolving City in Alberta’s future there are many opportunities and challenges that await us.

As a community leader and Councillor, I will continue to seek opportunities for improvement and change as Council tackles the issues before us. I will continue to ask and reflect "what does the City need to do better, change and to be more successful in our future?" and this is an important question for the citizens.  Please connect with me to share your thoughts or to respond to any of your questions. 

PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

It's anticipated during the next Council term, many of the same challenges of the 2021-2025 Council will continue which are identified further in this website. These include:

• decisions that will improve the City of Red Deer's financial health, including operating and capital budgets and City reserve funding
• maintenance and looking after what we have for infrastructure, amenities and services
• working with the Province of Alberta and Council's decision on zoning of a permanent integrated shelter for the vulnerable, along with the need for permanent supportive housing. These are critical decisions for the 2025-2029 Council along with other important conversations 
• next steps for the Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) for the electrical utilities governance
• continued zoning decisions - working with community, to increase housing including affordability and needed Provincially funded supportive housing.  Continuing to consult with community and understanding what can be built and where, while respecting neighborhood character.  Council has refused the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) housing accelerator funding condition of 4 units-as-of-right and which respects neighborhood character. This is a good decision for Red Deer that respects neighbourhood character. Blanket zoning is not good for City neighbourhoods.  At the time of writing, the City awaits a response from the Federal Government regarding the CHMC $12 million grant
• public/community safety, policing, fire and emergency response are essential services
• with the Provincial legislation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recycling initiatives, we may see some changes with recycling of paper and packaging products.  At the time of writing, Council and our public awaits more information
• continued and needed advocacy with the Provincial and Federal orders of government to provide needed grants and supports to the City of Red Deer. This is significant work ahead as Council looks to the operating and capital budgets and City services provided from our tax dollars

We are reminded each and every day of the municipal services we depend upon and utilize. These include:

• water, waste water, electricity and storm drainage
• zoning and development decisions
• transit and action bus services
• emergency services of police, fire and bylaw enforcement
• waste management and compost pickup
• Provincial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recycling initiatives. We will see some changes with recycling of paper and packaging products and look to further communications with the public
• summer and winter seasonable needs of snow removal, road and sidewalk maintenance, street and community lighting, and traffic light synchronizing
• parks services including mowing and beautification and trail safety
• recreation sites and services including recreation centres, rinks, arenas, outdoor sports fields, programs and activities
• supporting the Library branches and the arts and culture vibe and scene, including the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery 
• maintenance investment and necessary upgrades, - looking after what we have, and new challenges will continue to be a priority for the next Council.  I recognize the value that we pay of the municipal tax dollars to support these services through the City’s Operating and Capital budgets.

FINANCES AND BUDGET 

If re-elected my attention remains on affordability,  restoring fiscal health to the City of Red Deer finances, and including replenishing City Reserves through the City's financial work.  This work is recognized as the Long Term Financial Roadmap.  The increase of 10.35% property tax in 2025 was required to support the City's Financial Reserves and Operating costs.  The tax bill we receive also includes the Provincial Education requisition.  A reminder of the municipal tax increases of 0% in 2022, 4.41% in 2023 and 4.12% in 2024.  My focus if returned to Council, is long term financial planning, financial health, minimizing tax increases as much as possible. while maintaining public services we rely on.

My attention also remains for Red Deer city wide community safety.  This includes supporting the RCMP and Municipal Policing and Bylaws, and advocacy with the Provincial and Federal orders of government. This includes addressing the "catch and release" of chronic re-offenders in our community. 

I see necessary and stronger Council advocacy for needed infrastructure funding from the Provincial and Federal orders of government to support some municipal programs and services.

I welcome continued conversations with the community and neighborhoods regarding zoning,  growth of housing choices and development.

I recognize the creation of the Community Homelessness Foundation for the Red Deer Region and the importance of their work and what it will bring to the Red Deer community. 

Funding to support the Westerner has been received from the City of Red Deer ($19 million loan), Red Deer County, the Westerner Park Foundation and the Donald family.  Loan payments are due to the City on April 1, 2027. Conversations and advocacy must continue with the Provincial Government to recognize Westerner Park's challenges and its importance to Red Deer, our community and central Alberta.  This includes the $73 million economic impact on our community and the region, and the need for its sustainability.

The City is represented on the Westerner Board with the City Manager and two Council Representatives. They will continue to work with the Westerner's Board to ensure no further impact on the City's finances.

FUTURE PROVINCIAL FUNDED SHELTER SERVICES 

Many Council and City Administration conversations with the Provincial Government and Ministers have occurred over the past year(s) regarding the permanent integrated shelter needs in Red Deer.  At the time of writing, Council is awaiting Provincial communications and decisions about the shelter building and shelter operations.  The future shelter location remains outstanding and will, at the time of writing, likely be a decision with the 2025-2029 Council.  I bring familiarity and knowledge of this comprehensive and complex file when related decisions come to the Council table. 

A permanent integrated shelter is only one piece of addressing the needs for the vulnerable.  A shelter should be a temporary place; Red Deer needs additional supportive housing for those individuals who cannot or are unable to live independently in the community.  These housing sites are provincially funded dollars and are not supported with municipal collected tax dollars.

UTILITIES INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL UTILITY AND THE WORK AHEAD                                               

Utilities and recognizing the next steps forward with the City's Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) will be a focus for the next Council. There is ongoing and increasing complexity to the electricity industry and market. 

Following community engagement sessions and Council's June 2025 decision, an MCC means the City and Council continue to maintain ownership of the electrical system through the MCC. City Council will retain the authority to set electricity rates and ensure accountability and competency of the MCC Board. This will and must be determined carefully by the next Council.

It is important to recognize the City will still own its electrical system - the transformers, substations, meters and power lines.  With the MCC, it will be overseen by an arms length Board who make important decisions on necessary upgrades and investments for Red Deer's electrical utility.

ADVOCACY 

Another important and significant role of your Red Deer City Council is advocacy, as noted above, with the Provincial Government. There are many priorities to support Red Deer's citizen needs, which are funded from our provincial tax dollars.  This includes the Red Deer Hospital expansion, and the new hospital patient tower.  As of July 2025, the building permits with business and residential growth are valued at over $1 billion, which includes the hospital expansion. This is a significant contribution to the Red Deer economy, bringing many temporary and permanent jobs. This activity also will bring pressure on housing needs for construction employees, and future and additional hospital staff.

Community advocacy was successful this past year and Red Deer will be receiving a long awaited cardiac care catheterization lab, which is so necessary for Red Deerians and central Albertans. This health service will mean having heart health services at Red Deer Regional Hospital rather than having to travel by road or air ambulance to Calgary or Edmonton hospitals. It is anticipated the cath lab will be expected to open in early 2027.

Conversations continue for the future of the former Provincial Michener Centre lands, and the future of the former downtown Court House. These decisions are determined by the Provincial government and what these sites will bring in Red Deer. 

Provincial conversations continue regarding the Province doing a realignment,  widening to six lanes on the QE2 and bridge replacement. This will have impact to the City's Maskepetoon Park, Heritage Ranch and what this means for the Maskepetoon Park, ecology, trees, wetlands, and community impacts.  The Province hosted a community conversation on July 15th 2025.  If re-elected, I look to additional community and Council conversations on this matter.  Design work on the Provincial project is expected to be completed in 2027 and if approved, the work around Maskepetoon Park would be between 2027-2031.

 In 2019, $7 million was committed from the provincial government along with the recognition of building and operational decisions to  be determined by the Province.  With the provincial recovery model of care for those with addictions and mental health care needs, there is now treatment support at the provincial site at the recovery treatment centre (located north of the City at Township Road 391).  It is important to recognize the challenging paths of healing, trauma and care for individuals and families experiencing addictions and requiring healing, health and mental health supports. It continues to be recognized, as Red Deer is the major city in central Alberta, our City has has many agencies and support services that neighboring smaller communities in central Alberta do not have. Therefore, we see the vulnerable requiring supports come to Red Deer and specifically those noted in the downtown community. It is important the Provincial Government recognizes this for funding supports. Similar to Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer is in need of a "navigation centre" for Red Deer and central Alberta supports. 

Future Council's attention will include and continue with: 

• advocacy to the Province for adequate police funding including RCMP policing and how Red Deer's community safety relates to municipal policing and Alberta sheriffs
• advocacy for adequate provincial funding for local community agency supports who provide many services for the vulnerable
• additional provincial supports for urban encampment clean up, as a result of rising homelessness which Red Deer and so many growing Alberta municipalities and cities across Canada are experiencing
• navigation centre to serve the vulnerable in Red Deer and the central Alberta region vulnerable individuals who come to Red Deer for services

There are continued challenges of inadequate provincial funding to Alberta municipalities over the years,  which includes  downloading to municipalities. Red Deer joins with Alberta municipalities and advocacy; municipalities are challenged with setting the rates of municipal property taxes during budget deliberations.  City Council navigates the many pressures, needs, concerns, challenges and opportunities in local municipal government. 

The next Council will be focusing on:

- the City's long term financial roadmap

- managing City debt

- adjusting to inflationary costs

- managing infrastructure maintenance including measured risks when delaying maintenance

- recognize the needs and expense for any new infrastructure amenities

- recognize impacts on operating budgets and debt

- and reviewing municipal service levels and solutions, changes or improvements - all which impact financial decisions

- Council's review of costs such as any new projects, equipment and/or staffing positions in the City's workforce

As a Councillor with experience, I recognize the difficult decisions facing Council.  I commit to always being prepared for Council meetings, asking questions when making Council decisions, and being a strong advocate for Red Deer.  In my role, if re-elected,  I will continue to do my homework on the decisions before Council, and asking questions before I vote "in favour" or "not in favour" on Council resolutions.  For me, decisions must be in the best interests for Red Deer citizens.  I recognize that decisions a Councillor makes, not only impacts a Council's four year term, but  impacts the City's long term future. The development footprints we make and the financial impacts of decisions made must be in the best interests of citizens. It is always recognized there are citizens who agree or disagree with decision(s) made.

DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS AND HOUSING CHALLENGES

It is important to recognize the challenges within the city on rental and housing needs, options and affordability.  Vacancy rates n the City must be recognized, along with increased rental costs or mortgage rate increases. It is not the role or expense of the City of Red Deer budgets to build housing, but working with the entire community and organizations to reach the goal of more needed housing choices.  Affordable housing options will be a focus in the year(s) ahead.

The challenge of zoning is significant when Council hears from citizens, neighbourhood associations and developers as what is suitable for neighborhood development.  This often means a greater opportunity of housing options for residents, including efficient use of land which must be balanced with concerns regarding or with respect about high density.  At the same time we must work with the community, and respect neighborhood character as we strive for affordable ranges of housing.  Connecting and listening to residents before development, before decisions come to Council, listening at Council Public Hearings, and hearing from citizens at the development stage regarding building placement, parking, and landscaping is important.  Zoning and rezoning are not simplistic or easy as decisions for individual Councillors and Council as a whole.

NEXT STEPS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR  BUSINESS,  JOBS AND SERVICES

Without economic development and smart growth, our city becomes stagnant.  I welcome the work of the City's Community Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee and their work and recommendations.  This work and focus includes community members working on an arms length governance model for economic development in Red Deer.  This committee work will be returning to the next Council in early 2026.

Our City is not unlike any other City or Town in Alberta, or across Canada, who recognizes and responds needed supports for the vulnerable who live with addictions, mental health and shelter and supportive housing needs.  This is relevant for responding to the needs of the downtown and Red Deer business community, working with community agencies and the provincial government with necessary and appropriate response through Council leadership. These issues, for me, must be about collaboration and listening, having ongoing conversations with Red Deerians,  the business community, agencies and staff who provide services, along with those who have lived experience. Bringing change and better results for our community remains a priority.  It is complex; but for me, the status quo isn't acceptable.  Council must continue to advocate with the provincial government for funding on health, social needs and education.  This includes the importance of provincially funded permanent supportive housing for those vulnerable individuals who are unable to live on their own.

MUNICIPAL POLITICS MATTERS - VOTE FOR DIANNE

Family and community is important to me.  I have been married to Allan (a farmer) for 33+ years and we look to continuing our appreciation and enjoyment of Red Deer as our community in the years ahead.  Red Deer is our home. 

Thank you for the privilege to serve as one of your City of Red Deer City Councillors.  Municipal governance is interesting, challenging and exciting work that has an impact on the lives of all of us across the city. I still have the political fire in my belly to continue to serve Red Deerians and bring years of Council experience and knowledge as one of your eight City Councillors.

I would again honored to be given a mandate on election day to serve and work on your behalf at City Hall and Council Chambers.  With my skills, ideas, energy and commitment, I see the need for experience and leadership and continuity over the next four years for the 2025-2029 Council.  I will bring that experience and continuing to the Council table, if re-elected.   

I ask for your support for re-election as one of your eight City Councillors. and am humbled and honoured with your support. 

I encourage you to connect with me for a conversation.  Please contact me if you would like to discuss an issue for the campaign.  You can reach me at:

Email:          DWyntjes@shaw.ca

Facebook:    DianneForRedDeer

X:                 @DianWyntjes

Telephone/Text:  403 505 4256