The Association that represents Counties and Municipal Districts in Alberta has stated its official position on the province’s plan to create a provincial police force: it has rejected the notion, sending its report to the Solicitor General. 

Premier Jason Kenney has promoted the idea based on feedback from the Fair Deal Panel, saying a provincial police force would increase service levels in rural areas, decrease overall policing costs and increase local input into policing. 

In part, the statement from the RHA statement reads:  

“While the proposed model recommends a specific number of officers and support staff, it does not address how these resources will be distributed. Additionally, the costs presented in the report are a product of assumptions and estimates, with limited explanation of the methodology used. Regardless, the report identifies an annual increase in provincial costs due to the transition as the 30 per cent of provincial policing costs covered by the federal government would be lost. In addition, the transition cost of $366 million represents a significant unnecessary burden for Alberta taxpayers.” 

During local meetings, elected officials complained there were few answers provided to their questions about costs and how they'd be affected. 

The RHA points out that public consultations have not taken place. It says this is a concern since a 2021 Pollara Strategic Insights poll indicated that only 9 per cent of Albertans believe the province needs to replace the RCMP with a provincial police force. 

Rural Municipalities of Alberta says the model proposed by the UCP government also leaves gaps in how it would increase service levels in rural areas. 

The group's members recently endorsed a resolution to continue supporting the RCMP.  

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