Smith to give update on creation of Alberta provincial police service
Danielle Smith will give an update Wednesday on the creation of a provincial police service. Mason DePatie reports.
Alberta's premier will be providing an update on Wednesday about setting up a provincial police service.
Danielle Smith, Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and the parliamentary secretary for Indigenous and rural policing will give a progress update at 12:30 p.m.
The mayor of Coaldale and deputy mayor of Hardisty will also be speaking at the event.
The last major update on the new police service came back in April when Bill 49 was introduced.
The legislation proposes establishing a Crown corporation to operate a provincial police force separate from the RCMP.
Municipalities would the have the option of opting in, especially if they feel underserved by the RCMP.
According to the town of Hardisty's website, the town spends $2.4 million annually on RCMP services.
Earlier this spring, the Town of Hardisty issued a tender to initiate a study on policing.
At the time, Mayor Wayne Jackson discussed the issue of rural crime and how the RCMP was stretched thin in the area.
When Bill 49 was first introduced, Ellis noted Alberta was short up to 20 per cent in RCMP staffing and paying millions for services that sometimes don't show up.
The idea of a provincial police force isn't without controversy.
A 2021 study found an independent police service could end up being more expensive than the RCMP.
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