EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says her parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs has resigned.

The premier’s office says Jason Stephan, the United Conservative legislature member for Red Deer-South, is still a valued member of caucus.

Smith’s office says Stephan chose to resign earlier this year but it didn’t say why.

Stephan drew criticism in March after he penned an editorial encouraging all Albertans to sign a petition calling for a referendum on the province quitting Canada.

Stephan didn’t directly advocate for separation in the column, saying instead that having a vote would send a message to Ottawa and what he called its “stupid laws and policies.”

Smith’s office didn’t say if or when a replacement would be named to the role, which the government called “critically important” when it was created last year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2026.

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press