By David Opinko

Alberta Municipalities opposed to Provincial Police Service

Mar 10, 2022 | 1:36 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Many local government officials have voiced their opposition to the possibility of implementing a new Alberta Provincial Police Service (APPS).

Alberta Municipalities, which represents over 80 percent of the province’s 334 municipalities, met on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, to determine their official position on whether RCMP in Alberta should be replaced.

The Government of Alberta has been pushing for the creation of the APPS on the grounds that it would be more accountable to Albertans and result in improved levels of service.

A 2021 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers found that the APPS could provide better service levels but would be more expensive.

READ MORE: Alberta police force would cost millions more but could see better service; report

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More than 300 representatives were in attendance, 178 of whom cast their ballots.

144 members, or 80 percent, voted to adopt the following position:

“THAT Alberta Municipalities oppose the APPS models proposed in the PwC study and develop an advocacy and communications strategy to advance our position.”

As well, they are urging the provincial government to take the following actions:

• Invest in ways to address the root causes of crime (i.e., health, mental health, social, and economic supports)
• Ensure the justice system is adequately resourced to enable timely access to justice for all Albertans
• Prior to issuing a formal notice to terminate Alberta’s contract with the RCMP, the Alberta Government put the question to Albertans in the form of a clear referendum

Alberta Municipalities stated that they might revisit this decision in the event that “significant new information” be made available about the province’s APPS proposal.

Prior to this week’s vote, several communities in Southern Alberta had already publicly declared their opposition to the APPS.

READ MORE: Communities host “Keep Alberta RCMP” sessions, advocating against province-wide police

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