The national RCMP union has raised concerns over a report from the Alberta Next Panel, calling it misleading and urging Premier Danielle Smith’s government not to proceed with plans to replace the Mounties. Brian Sauvé, head of the National Police Federation, criticized the panel for proposing an idea previously rejected by Albertans and using outdated information and inaccurate federal policies to support its position.
The Alberta Next Panel, led by Smith to gather public input on improving the relationship with the federal government, conducted surveys and town hall meetings before releasing its recommendations just before Christmas. The panel expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the federal police force and recommended that the government continue transitioning the RCMP’s community policing services to a provincial alternative. The report highlighted support for this shift based on in-person feedback, although some online comments opposed it.
The panel argued that Alberta, like Ontario and Quebec, should have a provincial police service working alongside the RCMP’s federal crimes division, emphasizing the need for self-governance in the province. It pointed out recruitment challenges within the RCMP, citing 500 vacant positions, which account for a significant portion of the officers paid for by the province and municipalities to Ottawa.
The report highlighted the success of recruiting candidates for the new municipal police force in Grande Prairie as evidence that the province can excel where the federal system has struggled. It also predicted that by 2032, Ottawa would phase out its provincial policing responsibilities as it restructures its police force.
Sauvé dismissed the panel’s claims as politically motivated and misleading, particularly regarding RCMP staffing issues and federal policy. He emphasized the federal government’s commitment to RCMP contract policing beyond 2032. In response, Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services assured that they would review the panel’s recommendations to enhance public safety through initiatives like the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
The panel’s suggestion of a provincewide referendum on the RCMP’s role in Alberta was met with opposition from RCMP deputy commissioner Trevor Daroux, who clarified that Mounties cover a vast geographical area and a significant portion of the population in the province. Despite ongoing challenges in officer recruitment and retention, Daroux noted a high number of applications received since April 2024, indicating efforts to strengthen the RCMP’s workforce.