With UCP leadership candidates continuing to criss-cross the province, soon-to-be former leader Jason Kenney may be considering his legacy as premier of Alberta.
Whether that legacy will include the first official steps in the creation of a provincial police service remains to be seen. What is known is that judging from the latest move by the first-term UCP government, the idea of creating a provincial force remains on the minds of the premier and his ministers.
For his part, Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says while a decision hasn’t been made to proceed with a provincial police service, the option remains open.
“As all levels of governments across the country review their policing models, Albertans need to have all the information available to ensure they lead this national discussion and make sure the future of policing in the province meets their needs, said Shandro.
The government has created a website it says provides information about the proposal including “improved civilian oversight, more front-line police officers and better service levels across the province.”
As it has done for months, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) continues to oppose the creation of an Alberta force, with officials saying last week that the new website “does not provide any additional details in response to the RMA’s earlier concerns and questions as to how a potential transition from RCMP contract policing to a provincial police service would impact costs, levels of service, and local input into policing for municipalities.”
The legacy of the Jason Kenney UCP government will certainly include its handling and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic – and the premier’s decision to step down as leader before the 2023 election.
Whether it will also include the first official steps towards the creation of a provincial police service remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the official Opposition continues to call on outgoing premier Kenney to do more, much more, to address skyrocketing cost-of-living expenses that are negatively impacting families, farms and businesses across Alberta.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
