New legislation requiring the provincial government to report crime data annually and make that information available through its website will improve public safety, including in rural Alberta, says Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Minister Tyler Shandro.
The Public’s Right to Know Act was introduced in the legislature on Tuesday.
If passed, it will require the government to table a report annually containing data about violent and serious crimes, as well as property offences.
The bill specifically reads: “The Minister shall prepare a report respecting data and information relating to the criminal justice system in Alberta, including data and information in respect of the year immediately preceding the year in which the report is prepared, that the Minister considers necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of this Act.”
The crime data itself will be gathered from various sources, including from police across the province, he said.
“By improving access to crime data this improved access could help decision-makers at various levels to develop policies, as well as to take actions that are based on evidence,” Shandro said during a press conference.
“A troubling crime trend could expose gaps in services and lead to the development of new initiatives or new enforcement strategies. For example, a rural crime watch group may make different decisions about the need for volunteer patrols or public awareness efforts after taking a look at and studying crime data in their communities.”
Having access to crime information may also help individuals, he said.
“At a more basic level this is about empowering Albertans to make better decisions about their own personal safety,” he said. “Knowing property crime statistics may help someone decide to lock their car or their home instead of leaving it to chance.”
While the government already has the ability to report crime data, legislating the reporting of that data will create “certainty and consistency,” he said.
“A better informed public can help build safer communities for everyone in Alberta and it starts with ensuring folks have easier access to information they are entitled to know,” he said.
If passed, the Public’s Right to Know Act will come into effect this fall.
Asked by Great West Media about the timeline for publishing the crime data on the government website, Shandro said, “The first report is going to be this fall. Once it is tabled, then (the data) will be available on the website. This fall, the website will be publishing the report that will be tabled in the legislature.”
The report must be published on the website within 30 days of being tabled in the legislature.
Garth Kohlsmith is the president of the Alberta Citizens on Patrol Association.
“This initiative will help us with decisions about our patrols and volunteer efforts,” said Kohlsmith. “This information received from this legislation will result in an increase in crime prevention.”
Bill 9 contains provisions that would enable the provincial government to gather and publish data through information-sharing agreements with the federal government, municipalities and others.
Irfan Sabir is the Official opposition NDP justice critic.
“This legislation (Bill 9) is incredibly vague and doesn’t even specify which data will be collected or disclosed,” said Sabir. “Instead of taking concrete steps to address crime, and focus on Albertans’ priorities, the UCP is more concerned with passing this legislation that the minister admits isn’t needed and pressing ahead with an Alberta police force that the overwhelming majority of Albertans don’t want.
“It doesn’t restore funding to the Victims of Crime Fund that was raided by the UCP or prioritize the new victim of crime model they’ve been promising for the last two years.”
