FIREWALL ALBERTA 2.0
'They’re not listening': Alberta mayors and First Nations caution against provincial police force
Adam Lachacz
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Producer
Follow | Contact
Updated Oct. 30, 2021 6:46 p.m. MDT
EDMONTON -
Groups across Alberta are cautioning the province against ditching the RCMP and creating its own police force.
Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said Friday that an Alberta police force would give the province more flexibility to respond to rural crime, as he released a third-party report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
That report outlined it would cost Alberta about $735 million each year to operate its police force, in addition to a projected $366 million in startup costs.
According to the review, it costs Alberta about $500 million annually to pay for the RCMP. The federal government provides $170 million through a cost-sharing agreement to offload some costs.
Currently, the province has 1,480 Mounties that police rural areas, First Nations, and communities that do not have municipal forces.
“I’m still uncertain as to what is the problem the province is trying to solve by proposing a provincial police force,” said Tanya Thorn, Okotoks mayor and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association board member.
“I don’t understand why we need to create a whole new structure to solve a problem we’re already working on, and we’ve seen improvements on.”
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, head of the Mounties in Alberta, said they look forward to hearing and acting on what Albertans have to say.
“We know that Albertans want an active role in community safety and in deciding how their policing services are provided,” Zablocki said.
In Thorn’s view, a provincial police force is a cost municipalities cannot afford to bear.
“If it’s not giving us better value, if it’s not allowing us to increase service levels to our residents, why would we take on more costs?”
Irfan Sabir, justice critic for the Opposition NDP, said Madu is misleading Albertans by suggesting a new police service would be cost-neutral. Sabir warned there would be a tax increase to pay for it.
“The report clearly states it will cost more,” Sabir said.
Madu said he believes the government could fund the police force and would not seek additional money from municipalities.
“We do have a responsibility beyond the monetary implications to defend and pursue our province’s best interests,” he added.
“Ontario has done this. Quebec has done this. Newfoundland and Labrador has done this. And I think the time has come for our province to do the same.”
For Marlene Poitras, Assembly of First Nations Alberta regional chief, a provincial police force would not solve issues facing Indigenous Albertans.
Three First Nations have their own police forces in Alberta, something Poitras believes is a better approach.
“First Nations know what the issues are, they're the experts in their communities as to what will work and what won’t work,” Poitras added. “It’s critical that First Nations are involved in these discussions at the outset.
“A lot of the First Nations are working on developing their own nationhood and asserting their jurisdiction and authority,” she said. “The federal government will be moving toward consulting with First Nations on developing legislation developing First Nations policing as an essential service.”
Alberta’s contract with the RCMP ends in 2032. The province says it wants to survey the public next year about what they think about a provincial police force.
“They’re not listening to what they’re being told already,” Thorn said. “From our members with AUMA, there’s a 90 per cent response that we do not want to shift.”
Kevin Zahara, Edson’s mayor, sent a letter to Madu stating the town’s opposition to an Alberta police force.
“We have worked hard as a municipality to build a strong working relationship with our local RCMP Detachment,” Zahara wrote. “They are our partners and an integral part of our community. We are happy with the level of service our RCMP provide.”
The mayor added that Edson would prefer to see the funds the province is currently using to research creating a police force to augment the partnership with the RCMP.
“The Province repeatedly encourages municipalities to work with each other and come up with new and collaborative ways to provide programs and services to our residents in a cost-effective manner,” Zahara said.
“We implore your Government (Madu) to do the same and work with your Federal counterparts to achieve the Province’s goals related to the RCMP and Policing and to emulate the principles in which they ask of municipal governments within the Province.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson and The Canadian Press’ Dean Bennett
02:09
Does Alberta need a provincial police force?
Adam Lachacz
CTVNewsEdmonton.ca Digital Producer
Follow | Contact
Updated Oct. 30, 2021 6:46 p.m. MDT
EDMONTON -
Groups across Alberta are cautioning the province against ditching the RCMP and creating its own police force.
Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said Friday that an Alberta police force would give the province more flexibility to respond to rural crime, as he released a third-party report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
That report outlined it would cost Alberta about $735 million each year to operate its police force, in addition to a projected $366 million in startup costs.
According to the review, it costs Alberta about $500 million annually to pay for the RCMP. The federal government provides $170 million through a cost-sharing agreement to offload some costs.
Currently, the province has 1,480 Mounties that police rural areas, First Nations, and communities that do not have municipal forces.
“I’m still uncertain as to what is the problem the province is trying to solve by proposing a provincial police force,” said Tanya Thorn, Okotoks mayor and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association board member.
“I don’t understand why we need to create a whole new structure to solve a problem we’re already working on, and we’ve seen improvements on.”
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, head of the Mounties in Alberta, said they look forward to hearing and acting on what Albertans have to say.
“We know that Albertans want an active role in community safety and in deciding how their policing services are provided,” Zablocki said.
In Thorn’s view, a provincial police force is a cost municipalities cannot afford to bear.
“If it’s not giving us better value, if it’s not allowing us to increase service levels to our residents, why would we take on more costs?”
Irfan Sabir, justice critic for the Opposition NDP, said Madu is misleading Albertans by suggesting a new police service would be cost-neutral. Sabir warned there would be a tax increase to pay for it.
“The report clearly states it will cost more,” Sabir said.
Madu said he believes the government could fund the police force and would not seek additional money from municipalities.
“We do have a responsibility beyond the monetary implications to defend and pursue our province’s best interests,” he added.
“Ontario has done this. Quebec has done this. Newfoundland and Labrador has done this. And I think the time has come for our province to do the same.”
For Marlene Poitras, Assembly of First Nations Alberta regional chief, a provincial police force would not solve issues facing Indigenous Albertans.
Three First Nations have their own police forces in Alberta, something Poitras believes is a better approach.
“First Nations know what the issues are, they're the experts in their communities as to what will work and what won’t work,” Poitras added. “It’s critical that First Nations are involved in these discussions at the outset.
“A lot of the First Nations are working on developing their own nationhood and asserting their jurisdiction and authority,” she said. “The federal government will be moving toward consulting with First Nations on developing legislation developing First Nations policing as an essential service.”
Alberta’s contract with the RCMP ends in 2032. The province says it wants to survey the public next year about what they think about a provincial police force.
“They’re not listening to what they’re being told already,” Thorn said. “From our members with AUMA, there’s a 90 per cent response that we do not want to shift.”
Kevin Zahara, Edson’s mayor, sent a letter to Madu stating the town’s opposition to an Alberta police force.
“We have worked hard as a municipality to build a strong working relationship with our local RCMP Detachment,” Zahara wrote. “They are our partners and an integral part of our community. We are happy with the level of service our RCMP provide.”
The mayor added that Edson would prefer to see the funds the province is currently using to research creating a police force to augment the partnership with the RCMP.
“The Province repeatedly encourages municipalities to work with each other and come up with new and collaborative ways to provide programs and services to our residents in a cost-effective manner,” Zahara said.
“We implore your Government (Madu) to do the same and work with your Federal counterparts to achieve the Province’s goals related to the RCMP and Policing and to emulate the principles in which they ask of municipal governments within the Province.”
With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson and The Canadian Press’ Dean Bennett
02:09
Does Alberta need a provincial police force?
Alberta mayors raise concerns about provincial police force report
Author of the article:Dylan Short
Publishing date:Oct 30, 2021 •
Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said on Friday no decision has been made on whether the province will create its own police force. He said such a service would be more responsive than the RCMP, would better integrate operations and would train officers locally. The report found a provincial police department would increase the number of front-line officers to 4,189 from 4,030.
“At the end of the day, I am confident that it would be at the same amount or lower than what we currently spend on RCMP, but as a province, we do have a responsibility beyond the monetary implications to defend and pursue our province’s best interests,” said Madu during a news conference Friday.
He did not explicitly say how the province would make up for lost federal funds but said the cost to Alberta’s municipalities would not increase and there would not be a tax increase.
Thorn said Saturday those reassurance did little to comfort her concerns.
“There’s been lots of statements made around how there will be no changes to x, and you can substitute a lot of examples in this province where they’ve turned around and changed x,” said Thorn. “There was going to be no changes to the big cities charters while they abolish them. We weren’t going to download any cost to municipalities but we’ve seen a significant downloading of costs in the last few years.”
Thorn said the report is also vague on how municipalities would be charged for their costs. She said Okotoks currently pays for 90 per cent of their police costs while the federal government pays the remaining 10 per cent, however other municipalities pay varying amounts. She said she was unsure how that would be affected moving forward without the RCMP.
ONLY KENNEY SPEAKS FOR UCP GOVT.
Requests for comment sent to the Madu’s office were not returned Saturday afternoon
Author of the article:Dylan Short
Publishing date:Oct 30, 2021 •
Stock photo of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) logo at K-Division headquarters in Edmonton. PHOTO BY LARRY WONG /Postmedia
Mayors of Alberta municipalities are raising concerns over future costs and are urging the province to hold better consultations after the justice ministry released a report on transitioning away from using RCMP to a provincial police department.
The Government of Alberta released the report conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC on Friday showing a provincial police force could cost Albertans more but provide more services and front-line officers. The report found if the change is made, Alberta would pay between $734 million and $759 million annually and the transition itself would cost $366 million over a six-year term.
Currently, RCMP policing Alberta costs $672 million annually. Alberta pays $318 million towards that sum, while municipalities contribute $176 million and the federal government provides $170 million. Alberta Sheriffs currently cost an additional $41 million.
If Alberta were to move to a provincial police department, the province would no longer receive federal funding. Under the current model, RCMP provides policing services to 47 municipalities and 22 First Nation communities. There are several municipalities, including Calgary, with their own standalone police service.
Tanya Thorn, mayor of Okotoks, said Saturday she had looked over the report at a high level and was continuing to work through the rest of its100 pages. She said the potential loss of federal dollars is a concern for her.
Thorn also said she is concerned about what would happen to infrastructure in Alberta currently owned by RCMP.
“I think my initial reaction to (the report), which has been probably my reaction to the discussion through this all the way along is, what is the problem we are trying to solve?” said Thorn. “I don’t understand at the high level why we feel we need to reinvent a wheel from what we’ve currently got operating.”
The province commissioned the report — which does not make a recommendation on whether the province should change its policing model — in response to the Fair Deal Panel report that examined Alberta’s place within the Canadian federation. That report recommended Alberta should explore creating its own police service.
Mayors of Alberta municipalities are raising concerns over future costs and are urging the province to hold better consultations after the justice ministry released a report on transitioning away from using RCMP to a provincial police department.
The Government of Alberta released the report conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC on Friday showing a provincial police force could cost Albertans more but provide more services and front-line officers. The report found if the change is made, Alberta would pay between $734 million and $759 million annually and the transition itself would cost $366 million over a six-year term.
Currently, RCMP policing Alberta costs $672 million annually. Alberta pays $318 million towards that sum, while municipalities contribute $176 million and the federal government provides $170 million. Alberta Sheriffs currently cost an additional $41 million.
If Alberta were to move to a provincial police department, the province would no longer receive federal funding. Under the current model, RCMP provides policing services to 47 municipalities and 22 First Nation communities. There are several municipalities, including Calgary, with their own standalone police service.
Tanya Thorn, mayor of Okotoks, said Saturday she had looked over the report at a high level and was continuing to work through the rest of its100 pages. She said the potential loss of federal dollars is a concern for her.
Thorn also said she is concerned about what would happen to infrastructure in Alberta currently owned by RCMP.
“I think my initial reaction to (the report), which has been probably my reaction to the discussion through this all the way along is, what is the problem we are trying to solve?” said Thorn. “I don’t understand at the high level why we feel we need to reinvent a wheel from what we’ve currently got operating.”
The province commissioned the report — which does not make a recommendation on whether the province should change its policing model — in response to the Fair Deal Panel report that examined Alberta’s place within the Canadian federation. That report recommended Alberta should explore creating its own police service.
THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IF UCP PAYS PROVINCIAL COPS LESS THAN RCMP
Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said on Friday no decision has been made on whether the province will create its own police force. He said such a service would be more responsive than the RCMP, would better integrate operations and would train officers locally. The report found a provincial police department would increase the number of front-line officers to 4,189 from 4,030.
“At the end of the day, I am confident that it would be at the same amount or lower than what we currently spend on RCMP, but as a province, we do have a responsibility beyond the monetary implications to defend and pursue our province’s best interests,” said Madu during a news conference Friday.
He did not explicitly say how the province would make up for lost federal funds but said the cost to Alberta’s municipalities would not increase and there would not be a tax increase.
Thorn said Saturday those reassurance did little to comfort her concerns.
“There’s been lots of statements made around how there will be no changes to x, and you can substitute a lot of examples in this province where they’ve turned around and changed x,” said Thorn. “There was going to be no changes to the big cities charters while they abolish them. We weren’t going to download any cost to municipalities but we’ve seen a significant downloading of costs in the last few years.”
Thorn said the report is also vague on how municipalities would be charged for their costs. She said Okotoks currently pays for 90 per cent of their police costs while the federal government pays the remaining 10 per cent, however other municipalities pay varying amounts. She said she was unsure how that would be affected moving forward without the RCMP.
ONLY KENNEY SPEAKS FOR UCP GOVT.
Requests for comment sent to the Madu’s office were not returned Saturday afternoon
MINISTERS MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY
Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara went online Friday to reiterate his opposition to the provincial police report. He reposted a letter he penned to Madu as well as Premier Jason Kenney in May saying he supported the RCMP. He said he does not believe it is realistic that a switch to a provincial police would not cost municipalities more money.
“Just refer to our letter in your upcoming smoke and mirrors road show. This idea is driven by ideology and nothing else,” Zahara wrote on Twitter Friday.
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) released a statement Friday saying it welcomed the report but that it believes some “important questions” were not asked by the authors and that the review may be missing key information. They called for a referendum to be put to Albertans before any decision is made on removing the RCMP.
“The AUMA maintains that a fair and democratic referendum on the establishment of a provincial police service should occur if the Government of Alberta decides it wants to go this route. Premier Jason Kenney said as much in November 2019, and we expect him to honour his commitment,” read the statement. “If all Albertans must pay for something, then all Albertans must have a say in the decision.”
A timeline provided by the report shows consultations with communities could begin as early as November.
— With files from Ashley Joannou and Lisa Johnson
dshort@postmedia.com
Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara went online Friday to reiterate his opposition to the provincial police report. He reposted a letter he penned to Madu as well as Premier Jason Kenney in May saying he supported the RCMP. He said he does not believe it is realistic that a switch to a provincial police would not cost municipalities more money.
“Just refer to our letter in your upcoming smoke and mirrors road show. This idea is driven by ideology and nothing else,” Zahara wrote on Twitter Friday.
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) released a statement Friday saying it welcomed the report but that it believes some “important questions” were not asked by the authors and that the review may be missing key information. They called for a referendum to be put to Albertans before any decision is made on removing the RCMP.
“The AUMA maintains that a fair and democratic referendum on the establishment of a provincial police service should occur if the Government of Alberta decides it wants to go this route. Premier Jason Kenney said as much in November 2019, and we expect him to honour his commitment,” read the statement. “If all Albertans must pay for something, then all Albertans must have a say in the decision.”
A timeline provided by the report shows consultations with communities could begin as early as November.
— With files from Ashley Joannou and Lisa Johnson
dshort@postmedia.com
Treaty 8 rejects provincial police service contemplated by Alberta
“I have been clear from day one that it was important for me for all of our Indigenous communities and leaders to be fully consulted on what this would mean to their communities. Ultimately we want to partner with them, we want to collaborate with them to ensure their communities are safe. And I have directed my department to begin that particular effort,” said Madu in a news conference.
PwC undertook the transition study from October 2020 to April 2021.
In its 100-page final report, PwC reiterated the call by the Indigenous participants in the transition study for “fulsome engagement” by the province.
“This project had limited discussion with First Nations and Metis groups in Alberta in the development of this report (and) that is not considered sufficient engagement with those communities,” reads the report.
PwC has put forward a proposed model for APPS which it says focuses on “innovation, community engagement and collaboration, problem solving and proactive community policing.”
Presently police services for First Nations communities are provided by RCMP members in detachments off-reserve or through community tripartite agreements, which enhance police services (in place in 22 First Nations). As well, there are three standalone First Nations police services in Alberta-the Blood Tribe, Tsuut'ina First Nations and the Lakeshore Regional Police Service-that serve seven First Nations.
Policing for Metis Settlements is provided through Provincial Policing Service Agreements.
The new model proposed by PwC sets out concepts for policing in Indigenous communities to include increased autonomy of the communities to “lead and define” how policing is delivered; specialized police training; an Indigenous advisory panel that would report to the chief of police; and exploring ways that APPS could support the creation and viability of self-administered First Nations Police Services.
This is not what Treaty 8 is after, says Adam.
The support they want from the province would be for a tripartite agreement that sees help in funding a Treaty 8 police force.
“We've been treated wrong for a long time and it's time to fix the problem. And the only way we can do it is to have our own police force,” Adam said.
He sees no advantage in a provincial police force.
“I view the city police in Edmonton or in Calgary as far more dangerous than the RCMP are when it comes to handling reports to First Nations people just based on evidence that I see when it's being broadcast on the news or footage on postings on Facebook on behaviours,” he said.
Adam points to the recent dismantling of a protest tipi camp on the Alberta legislature grounds. Edmonton Police Service moved in and arrested the “elderly women” there.
“That's a provincial police. They have no respect,” he said.
Madu continually drew on the strength of the Ontario Provincial Police and Surete du Quebec for reason's why Alberta could have its own successful police force.
However, Windspeaker.com brought to the minister's attention strained relationships Indigenous peoples have with the provincial police forces in both Ontario and Quebec.
Madu said the same relationship would not happen in Alberta because “we are going to sit down with them to figure out with them the policing priorities of their communities that is culturally sensitive and in line with their expectations of safety and overall wellbeing of their people and their nations.”
Adam is concerned that a provincial police force would not know how to handle rural situations.
“The fact remains, the RCMP have a good understanding of what's going on. They know the areas outside of the cities. We rely on them still รข€¦ They still answer to the calls. We have to continue to work with them,” he said.
However, he says Treaty 8's priority still is creating its own police force.
“(Alberta) would finally realize how easy it is to work with First Nations instead of going against them. We will work with the Alberta judicial system,” said Adam.
Madu was repeatedly pressed during the news conference to explain how a loss of $200 million from the federal government in RCMP funding to Alberta, would be made up. He insisted taxes would not rise.
“It will be more cost effective for this province to establish their own provincial police. But more than anything else it is important that I make this particular point: As Justice minister I took an oath to defend our province's best interest. And, ultimately this is part of that calculation,” said Madu.
Consultation, both virtual and in-person (depending on coronavirus pandemic measures), will take place from November to early spring 2022. A public survey will also be undertaken.
Madu insisted the government had not made a decision on transitioning from the RCMP to a provincial police services and more “analysis and consultation” was required.
If the nod is given, the transition will be a phased in over five to six years.
“The provincial government... and municipalities through the Police Funding Model... have made significant investments in the Alberta RCMP as their provincial police service, and we have been using those investments to respond to the needs of citizens and communities-moving forward many operational goals and innovative policing initiatives,” said Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam
RELATED STORIES
Treaty 8 Grand Chief pushing for First Nations police service
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Braid: UCP would kick out the Mounties, but maybe they want to goShari Narine
Windspeaker.com
The Local Journalism Initiative
Updated Oct. 29, 2021 9:57 p.m. MDT
Treaty 8 is not in favour of a provincial police force in Alberta, a sentiment Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam says was shared with Justice Minister and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu in July.
“We mentioned that to Minister Madu at a meeting in High Level. It was addressed to him there with all the chiefs at the table and I brought it to Minister Madu's attention. I told him we weren't interested,” said Adam, who also serves as grand chief of Justice for Treaty 8.
“Ever since then, Minister Madu hasn't answered my phone call or text messages at all.”
Today Madu announced the province's interest in following up on a report that it commissioned from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) to examine the transition of policing services from the RCMP to an Alberta Provincial Police Service (APPS). He committed to consulting with Indigenous communities.
Windspeaker.com
The Local Journalism Initiative
Updated Oct. 29, 2021 9:57 p.m. MDT
Treaty 8 is not in favour of a provincial police force in Alberta, a sentiment Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam says was shared with Justice Minister and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu in July.
“We mentioned that to Minister Madu at a meeting in High Level. It was addressed to him there with all the chiefs at the table and I brought it to Minister Madu's attention. I told him we weren't interested,” said Adam, who also serves as grand chief of Justice for Treaty 8.
“Ever since then, Minister Madu hasn't answered my phone call or text messages at all.”
Today Madu announced the province's interest in following up on a report that it commissioned from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) to examine the transition of policing services from the RCMP to an Alberta Provincial Police Service (APPS). He committed to consulting with Indigenous communities.
“I have been clear from day one that it was important for me for all of our Indigenous communities and leaders to be fully consulted on what this would mean to their communities. Ultimately we want to partner with them, we want to collaborate with them to ensure their communities are safe. And I have directed my department to begin that particular effort,” said Madu in a news conference.
PwC undertook the transition study from October 2020 to April 2021.
In its 100-page final report, PwC reiterated the call by the Indigenous participants in the transition study for “fulsome engagement” by the province.
“This project had limited discussion with First Nations and Metis groups in Alberta in the development of this report (and) that is not considered sufficient engagement with those communities,” reads the report.
PwC has put forward a proposed model for APPS which it says focuses on “innovation, community engagement and collaboration, problem solving and proactive community policing.”
Presently police services for First Nations communities are provided by RCMP members in detachments off-reserve or through community tripartite agreements, which enhance police services (in place in 22 First Nations). As well, there are three standalone First Nations police services in Alberta-the Blood Tribe, Tsuut'ina First Nations and the Lakeshore Regional Police Service-that serve seven First Nations.
Policing for Metis Settlements is provided through Provincial Policing Service Agreements.
The new model proposed by PwC sets out concepts for policing in Indigenous communities to include increased autonomy of the communities to “lead and define” how policing is delivered; specialized police training; an Indigenous advisory panel that would report to the chief of police; and exploring ways that APPS could support the creation and viability of self-administered First Nations Police Services.
This is not what Treaty 8 is after, says Adam.
The support they want from the province would be for a tripartite agreement that sees help in funding a Treaty 8 police force.
“We've been treated wrong for a long time and it's time to fix the problem. And the only way we can do it is to have our own police force,” Adam said.
He sees no advantage in a provincial police force.
“I view the city police in Edmonton or in Calgary as far more dangerous than the RCMP are when it comes to handling reports to First Nations people just based on evidence that I see when it's being broadcast on the news or footage on postings on Facebook on behaviours,” he said.
Adam points to the recent dismantling of a protest tipi camp on the Alberta legislature grounds. Edmonton Police Service moved in and arrested the “elderly women” there.
“That's a provincial police. They have no respect,” he said.
Madu continually drew on the strength of the Ontario Provincial Police and Surete du Quebec for reason's why Alberta could have its own successful police force.
However, Windspeaker.com brought to the minister's attention strained relationships Indigenous peoples have with the provincial police forces in both Ontario and Quebec.
Madu said the same relationship would not happen in Alberta because “we are going to sit down with them to figure out with them the policing priorities of their communities that is culturally sensitive and in line with their expectations of safety and overall wellbeing of their people and their nations.”
Adam is concerned that a provincial police force would not know how to handle rural situations.
“The fact remains, the RCMP have a good understanding of what's going on. They know the areas outside of the cities. We rely on them still รข€¦ They still answer to the calls. We have to continue to work with them,” he said.
However, he says Treaty 8's priority still is creating its own police force.
“(Alberta) would finally realize how easy it is to work with First Nations instead of going against them. We will work with the Alberta judicial system,” said Adam.
Madu was repeatedly pressed during the news conference to explain how a loss of $200 million from the federal government in RCMP funding to Alberta, would be made up. He insisted taxes would not rise.
“It will be more cost effective for this province to establish their own provincial police. But more than anything else it is important that I make this particular point: As Justice minister I took an oath to defend our province's best interest. And, ultimately this is part of that calculation,” said Madu.
Consultation, both virtual and in-person (depending on coronavirus pandemic measures), will take place from November to early spring 2022. A public survey will also be undertaken.
Madu insisted the government had not made a decision on transitioning from the RCMP to a provincial police services and more “analysis and consultation” was required.
If the nod is given, the transition will be a phased in over five to six years.
“The provincial government... and municipalities through the Police Funding Model... have made significant investments in the Alberta RCMP as their provincial police service, and we have been using those investments to respond to the needs of citizens and communities-moving forward many operational goals and innovative policing initiatives,” said Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam
RELATED STORIES
Treaty 8 Grand Chief pushing for First Nations police service
Chief worried that harassment by 'fish cops' of First Nations could lead to violence
Canada's largest Indigenous police force has never shot anyone dead
RCMP out? Government report suggests it could be more expensive for Alberta
Preventing rural crime remains a 'top priority' for Alberta government
Kenney says rural Alta. would welcome provincial police, promises no extra cost to municipalities
Equalization, provincial pensions and the RCMP: what Alberta’s Fair Deal Report recommends
What if the RCMP really wants to get out of all deals with provinces, cities and small municipalities?
Author of the article: Don Braid • Calgary Herald
Publishing date: Oct 29, 2021 •
Members of the Canmore RCMP dressed in their ceremonial red serge march down Main Street in Canmore during a Canada Day parade. The provincial government is discussing creating a provincial police force to replace the RCMP.
SunMedia
The little city of Dieppe, New Brunswick, population 25,000, may hold the key to Alberta’s gung-ho drive to create a provincial police force.
Mayor Yvon LaPierre said this week: “As we know now, in six years from now, they are going to withdraw — the RCMP is going to withdraw from municipal and provincial policing.
“The RCMP’s not going to be here doing municipal policing. We got that memo, as the old saying goes.”
Six years is exactly the time cited Friday by Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu for creating a provincial force to replace the RCMP in rural and small communities all over Alberta.
UCP LIES
It’s a massive undertaking. No matter what Madu says (and he hotly denies it), a new provincial force could cost Albertans far more than the current system, in which the federal government contributes part of the funding.
The little city of Dieppe, New Brunswick, population 25,000, may hold the key to Alberta’s gung-ho drive to create a provincial police force.
Mayor Yvon LaPierre said this week: “As we know now, in six years from now, they are going to withdraw — the RCMP is going to withdraw from municipal and provincial policing.
“The RCMP’s not going to be here doing municipal policing. We got that memo, as the old saying goes.”
Six years is exactly the time cited Friday by Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu for creating a provincial force to replace the RCMP in rural and small communities all over Alberta.
UCP LIES
It’s a massive undertaking. No matter what Madu says (and he hotly denies it), a new provincial force could cost Albertans far more than the current system, in which the federal government contributes part of the funding.
Alberta Justice Minister and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu speaks to media in Calgary and online on Friday, October 29, 2021. Alberta is exploring the benefits of a provincial police service. Jim Wells/Postmedia
But the UCP is hell-bent to do this. To make sure it happens, whatever we think, they will not hold one of their beloved referendums.
It would all make sense, though, if the Mounties really are planning to pull out of community and provincial agreements in eight provinces and three territories — everywhere but Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial forces.
(Newfoundland and Labrador has its storied Constabulary, but the RCMP does a portion of the policing.)
If such a transition were thrust on the country, there would have to be massive federal assistance to provinces forced to convert. Maybe that’s why Madu sounds so confident about the cost.
The talk of a Mountie pullout plan is widely but quietly cited within the Alberta government as one rationale for a provincial force.
Some think it’s just talk, rather cynically used to propel the plan for an Alberta force.
In beautiful New Brunswick, other politicians said they’d heard about the Mountie pullout only as a rumour. The RCMP itself refused to comment.
But to several police sources, it’s a given — and certainly no secret in Ottawa.
In June, a Commons committee led by Justin Trudeau’s Liberals recommended that “the government of Canada explore the possibility of ending contract policing within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and that the government work with the provinces, territories and municipalities to help those interested establish their own provincial and territorial police services.”
In Alberta, it’s widely assumed that the province would eject the Mounties by withdrawing from federal contracts that don’t officially expire until the 2030s.
But what if the RCMP really wants to get out of all deals with provinces, cities and small municipalities?
But the UCP is hell-bent to do this. To make sure it happens, whatever we think, they will not hold one of their beloved referendums.
It would all make sense, though, if the Mounties really are planning to pull out of community and provincial agreements in eight provinces and three territories — everywhere but Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial forces.
(Newfoundland and Labrador has its storied Constabulary, but the RCMP does a portion of the policing.)
If such a transition were thrust on the country, there would have to be massive federal assistance to provinces forced to convert. Maybe that’s why Madu sounds so confident about the cost.
The talk of a Mountie pullout plan is widely but quietly cited within the Alberta government as one rationale for a provincial force.
Some think it’s just talk, rather cynically used to propel the plan for an Alberta force.
In beautiful New Brunswick, other politicians said they’d heard about the Mountie pullout only as a rumour. The RCMP itself refused to comment.
But to several police sources, it’s a given — and certainly no secret in Ottawa.
In June, a Commons committee led by Justin Trudeau’s Liberals recommended that “the government of Canada explore the possibility of ending contract policing within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and that the government work with the provinces, territories and municipalities to help those interested establish their own provincial and territorial police services.”
In Alberta, it’s widely assumed that the province would eject the Mounties by withdrawing from federal contracts that don’t officially expire until the 2030s.
But what if the RCMP really wants to get out of all deals with provinces, cities and small municipalities?
The Alberta government is exploring the benefits of a provincial police service that would replace the RCMP as the main law enforcement agency in the province.
PHOTO BY MARK TAYLOR/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Police sources say community work has pulled the force away from its mandate to fight crime of national importance, including terrorism, anti-terrorism, organized crime, border security, major commercial crime, cybercrime and much else.
These areas are understaffed and underfunded, this argument goes, because so many recruits end up on contract work. At a time when recruitment is more difficult than ever, national problems need to take priority.
There’s also the problem of “getting stuck in the goo,” as one source said.
Mounties feel their reputation as upstanding defenders in red serge is being undercut by a stream of stories about local officers in trouble.
In Alberta, for instance, two officers are charged with manslaughter in the death of Clayton Crawford, who was shot multiple times inside his car on July 3, 2018.
In June 2020, a video showed an officer violently tackling Athabasca First Nations Chief Allan Adam, causing widespread outrage.
Police sources say community work has pulled the force away from its mandate to fight crime of national importance, including terrorism, anti-terrorism, organized crime, border security, major commercial crime, cybercrime and much else.
These areas are understaffed and underfunded, this argument goes, because so many recruits end up on contract work. At a time when recruitment is more difficult than ever, national problems need to take priority.
There’s also the problem of “getting stuck in the goo,” as one source said.
Mounties feel their reputation as upstanding defenders in red serge is being undercut by a stream of stories about local officers in trouble.
In Alberta, for instance, two officers are charged with manslaughter in the death of Clayton Crawford, who was shot multiple times inside his car on July 3, 2018.
In June 2020, a video showed an officer violently tackling Athabasca First Nations Chief Allan Adam, causing widespread outrage.
Survivors of Metis man fatally shot by Mounties file lawsuit alleging racial discrimination may have played a role
Northern Alberta chief accuses RCMP of beating him in casino parking lot
While they don’t deny that RCMP officers make mistakes, Mountie traditionalists say the force should no longer be involved in local policing at all.
The UCP, meanwhile, believe they’ll look like geniuses when the RCMP pullout is announced. Alberta would be far ahead of everybody else and eligible for transition money.
If it doesn’t happen? Well, they’d still have the provincial force as a symbol of Alberta’s “autonomy.”
Don Braid’s column appears regularly in the Calgary Herald.
Twitter: @DonBraid
Facebook: Don Braid Politics
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