Alberta Proposes New Provincial Police Service Legislation

Alberta is advancing plans to establish a provincial police service as an alternative to the RCMP, under the framework of Bill 49, the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act. This new service would operate as a Crown corporation, providing municipalities the option to replace the RCMP, which has faced criticism for rising costs and staffing shortages. Approximately 600 Alberta Sheriffs, who are currently performing police-like duties, could transition to the new agency, potentially reducing startup costs. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis emphasized that the RCMP will remain until municipalities decide to switch. The bill also proposes the creation of an Alberta Police Review Commission to oversee police activities. However, concerns have been raised about the impacts of redeploying sheriffs and the overall cost of the transition, which was previously estimated at $366 million, alongside a potential loss of $170 million in federal funding.