MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The provincial government decision to cover $27 million in additional policing costs for municipalities over the next year is welcome news, but concerns about future costs remain, says Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers.
The provincial government says that due to higher costs from recent RCMP collective agreements, the cost for policing in smaller communities will increase 39 per cent in 2025, with no corresponding increase in the services provided.
In response, the government announced that it is imposing a temporary one year freeze on the amount municipalities are responsible for paying for front-line policing services.
“We know this isn’t acceptable for many municipalities,” Mike Ellis, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, said in a release. “This cost freeze will give rural municipalities the stability and predictability they needs, and it will allow for meaningful engagement between the province and municipalities on equitable support.”
Mountain View County began paying the province for policing starting four years ago. In the first year, the cost to county ratepayers was $295,000, and it has been increased annually, reaching $1,218,727 in 2024.
“This payment is essentially a requisition, meaning the county is responsible for collecting the funds from our ratepayers and sending them directly to the province,” Aalbers told the Albertan.
Although the temporary freeze is appreciated, the county remains focused on long-term sustainability, she said.
“Our primary concern is that the province has indicated this freeze will only apply for one year,” she said. “We understand that rural municipalities will eventually face a significant cost increase – estimated at 39 per cent or $27 million – due to higher expenses from recent RCMP collective agreements.
“The lack of clarity around future cost increases creates uncertainty for our council, which remains committed to maintaining consistent and predictable municipal taxes.”
