SUNDRE - After investigating, as per a councillor’s request, the legislation behind striking a police advisory committee, administration reported the option is not available to the municipality.
“That’s our finding,” said Chris Albert, Sundre’s director of corporate services and acting chief administrative officer.
Background information outlined in council’s agenda compiled by administrative staff stated the minister of justice may authorize a municipality with a population greater than 5,000 to enter into an agreement with the provincial government for the provision of policing services specifically for the municipality by the provincial police service subject to the sharing of costs as determined by the minister.
“Currently, this option is not available to the Town of Sundre,” read the information in council’s agenda.
Coun. Cheri Funke -- who had submitted the request and originally brought the changes to the provincial police funding formula to council's attention, leading council to express concerns to the government -- outlined her reasons for bringing the matter forward.
“We don’t have an avenue to have a voice with our regional partners right now,” said Funke, who sought a motion directing administration to contact the justice minister to find out what is expected of the municipality.
“I have been told that we have the option, but as it’s laid out in the Police Act right now, the wording is convoluted,” and there is uncertainty as to whether Sundre could form a police advisory committee, she said.
“I would like council to be proactive and have administration go forward and seek exactly what we’re supposed to do in this situation.”
If it turns out Sundre cannot create such a committee, she said then the municipality will at least have that information directly from the department of justice. But if there is a possibility, she said council could later discuss the validity of establishing a committee.
Mayor Terry Leslie highlighted administration’s supporting documentation indicating such a committee would only be an option if Sundre’s population were more than 5,000 people, and sought clarification on Funke’s request.
The councillor said she sought a motion directing administration to contact the department of justice to ask whether Sundre could strike a police advisory committee “since they are making changes outside of the legislation. I want to know if we can have an advisory committee or not.”
Funke said it would be one way for the municipality to be proactive in working with regional partners to address concerns stemming from the changes to the provincial police funding formula.
Coun. Richard Warnock expressed a concern about council pushing when it should perhaps instead be waiting until more information about the revised police funding formula becomes available.
Coun. Paul Isaac said he agreed with Funke in terms of being proactive, but also agreed with Warnock that the final outcome of the provincial government’s decision on police funding was not known.
“I like the idea that we continue gathering data, so that we’re not caught short,” he said, going on to express uncertainty about Funke’s request.
“Because I do believe administration is already dialoguing” with the government, he said.
Coun. Todd Dalke sought a greater understanding of his colleague’s request to create a police advisory committee. He wondered if the idea was to pre-emptively discuss with regional partners how to fund police services in light of propsed changes to the provincial formula.
Funke said she has participated in the province’s webinars on the issue, and also attended an open house in Rocky Mountain House.
“It’s a guarantee. It’s happening January 1,” she said.
“They just don’t have the amount.”
But one way or another, Funke said Sundre will be facing a cost of anywhere between $45,000 and $68,000 starting in the new year.
“We’re going to have to pay, which I never said I was totally against,” she said, adding Sundre needs an avenue to be heard.
“We have bigger regional partners that have a bigger say and have a better relationship with our detachment commander,” she said.
“We all need to work together.”
The mayor concurred that the municipality will be forced to factor in a new cost, but said the lingering question remains as to how much.
“I believe that this is premature because we don’t know anything yet,” he said.
“When there is a funding announcement, and we can determine what the impact is, then we can carry on. We have already sent our concerns from council to the appropriate minister to have them aware of the impacts that could come to this community if there’s a change in the police funding formula.”
Additionally, regional neighbours like the county, towns and the villages, already meet through the Municipal Area Partnership to discuss issues that affect all, he said.
The mayor also expressed doubt that the minister would even approve a police advisory committee in Sundre.
“What would that police advisory committee do,” he wondered, suggesting other channels to pursue could include the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre’s MLA Jason Nixon, and other government contacts.
Without further discussion on the issue, no motion was made.
