Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

hitting the road

Justice minister launches province-wide tour to talk rural crime

Sep 4, 2019 | 2:55 PM

Alberta Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer is touring the province this month to gain input and discuss concerns about the “rapid increase in rural crime.”

“This government is committed to helping keep Albertans safe, secure and protected, wherever they call home,” Schweitzer says in a media release. “This includes spending time outside the province’s big cities to hear directly from people about their experiences with rural crime and their insights into it. That is why I’m hitting the road to meet with Albertans to ensure we have a faster, fairer and more responsive justice system to meet their concerns.”

Red Deer is one of the first stops on Schweitzer’s tour as he’s set to visit our city this Friday, September 6. He’ll be meeting with members of Red Deer city council, MLAs Jason Stephan and Adriana LaGrange, and local representatives with the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association.

He will visit Lacombe and Ponoka next Tuesday, September 10, and Drayton Valley on September 23.

Other communities on the minister’s tour will include Lethbridge, Bragg Creek, Athabasca, Slave Lake, Grande Prairie, Whitecourt, Airdrie, Drumheller and Medicine Hat, among others.

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The meetings will include conversations with residents, business owners, rural crime watch groups, and local officials.

“First-hand conversations with Albertans will help ensure our actions truly reflect where Albertans are today,” adds Schweitzer. “We recognize the unique vulnerability of Albertans in rural areas. We want to work with them to ensure our justice system reflects the realities of rural Alberta and has the tools and resources necessary to ensure rural Albertans feel their justice system protects them, their loved ones and their property.”

(With file from media release)