By Adam Ophus

as province explores provincial force...

Delegation asking for Rocky’s support for keeping RCMP in Alberta

May 20, 2021 | 11:33 AM

Both the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County have been forwarded letters asking for support from multiple municipalities to have Alberta stick with the RCMP for policing services as opposed to creating a provincial force.

A delegation from the National Police Federation (NPF), who represents 3,500 RCMP members, spoke during Rocky town council’s May 18 meeting. The federation is asking municipalities across the province to write to the Premier and the Minister of Justice about the matter. They claimed that only six per cent of 1,000 people surveyed online supported replacing the RCMP. Their presentation to council not only insisted that costs would skyrocket for the province, but it would also be a risk to community safety.

Rocky Mountain House’s 2021 budget has 29 cents of every tax dollar going towards protective services, making it the largest expenditure by a large margin.

In a letter to Justice Minister Kaycee Madu dated March 4, Mayor Tammy Burke stated on behalf of council that the costs of any transition to a provincial police force “would be unsurmountable and could not come at a worse time for Albertans.” She did, however, state the Town’s desire for the province to review the current Police Funding Model to find an approach that is more fair and equitable, such as one based on a town’s population.

Municipalities to voice their support for RCMP include Edson, Didsbury, St. Paul, Tofield, Claresholm, Raymond, and Magrath.

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The Town of Edson stated that the RCMP is its largest budgetary item and said their costs grow as the government takes away sources of revenue. Edson’s letter mentions the province has decreased the percentage of revenue from fines municipalities receive.

Didsbury council shared their thoughts by stating, “We believe that working with the RCMP as the Alberta police force of choice is more likely to succeed than setting up yet another entity.”