Ken Johnston

Kenneth Charles Johnston (born c. 1954) is a Canadian politician. He served as the mayor of Red Deer, Alberta from 2021 to 2025.

Early life Originally from Newfoundland, Johnston moved to Alberta in 1980. He was transferred from a Scotiabank branch in Drumheller to Red Deer in 1996, and has lived there ever since.

Electoral career In May 2013, Johnston announced he was running for a seat on Red Deer City Council in the October 2013 Red Deer municipal election. 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.

Following the decision of mayor Tara Veer not 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.

As mayor, he 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.

In 2024, Johnston stated he was opposed to the provincial government's proposal to allow for political parties at the municipal level.

In January 2025, Johnston announced he was not running for re-election in the 2025 election. He cited "securing $1.8 billion in improvements to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre" as one of his main accomplishments.

Personal life While 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.