The Issue
Since 2020, the Alberta government has promoted the idea of replacing the Alberta RCMP. Now it’s moving ahead with the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS) to eventually replace the RCMP without clear public consultation, transparent costing, or a credible business case.
Albertans deserve to know what’s really being proposed and to have a direct say in decisions that impact the safety of their families and communities. We’re calling on the Province to be transparent about ASPS costs and plans, and to let Albertans be heard through a referendum question.
Why the RCMP Works for Alberta
Albertans continue to place strong trust in the RCMP because it delivers proven, professional, and cost-effective policing across the province.
Strong Public Confidence
76% of residents in RCMP-served communities are satisfied with their policing services.
Proven Results
Alberta RCMP jurisdictions saw a 6.9% decrease in the Crime Severity Index in 2024.
Deep Community Presence
For over 90 years, RCMP Members have served Alberta communities, living locally and providing consistent, visible policing.
Beyond front-line policing, the RCMP model delivers significant added value:
Financial Advantage
Alberta benefits from federal cost-sharing of more than $200 million a year, plus national economies of scale for training, equipment, and infrastructure
Operational Strength
The RCMP sets national training standards, provides access to 150+ specialized units, and offers surge capacity during major incidents, capabilities that are expensive and difficult to duplicate.
Community Engagement
RCMP Members support crime prevention, school and youth programs, and community-based initiatives that strengthen trust and safety.
Reduced Risk and Liability
The federal government manages insurance, labour relations, and discipline, lowering administrative and financial risk for Alberta and municipalities.
Together, this model delivers reliable, high-quality policing while making the most of public resources. We can’t risk losing it, and Albertan’s should not be on the hook for paying for two policing services when the Province can already invest in our trusted, experienced RCMP Members and get boots on the ground immediately to make a real difference in our communities.
What is the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS)?
The ASPS is a proposed provincial police service that would, for now, operate alongside the RCMP and be offered to municipalities as an alternative policing option. Eventually, the ASPS could replace the RCMP as the provincial police service in 2032; leaving public safety at risk.
It would require converting a large portion of Alberta’s current Sheriffs into police officers, a costly and complex process that risks pulling resources from important work Sheriffs already do, like prisoner transport. The Province has yet to release a detailed plan outlining how the ASPS would operate, what services it would provide, or how much it would ultimately cost taxpayers.
What Will It Cost Albertans?
The reality is, this project is already costing Albertans across the province. Budget 2026 gives the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service a $200.9 million operating budget, with spending projected to rise to about $644.7 million by 2029. Despite these existing funding commitments, Albertans still have not seen a full public breakdown of those costs.
Who Will Be Impacted?
Cities and municipalities across Alberta rely on the RCMP’s integrated provincial and national services, including specialized units, intelligence sharing, major crime support, and emergency response. Creating a new system without clear costs or plan risks duplicating services, creating gaps, and ultimately driving up costs for everyone in Alberta. There is only one taxpayer in Alberta. Residents throughout the province will all shoulder the burden of this new police service, even if you’re already policed by a municipal service.
Albertans Have Spoken:
Albertans aren’t asking for decisions made behind closed doors. They’re asking for transparency and a direct say on the future of policing.
What Can You Do?
Albertans can take action and speak out by sending a letter calling on the provincial government to:
-
Add a referendum question on the October 19, 2026, ballot
about the future of contract policing. -
Release a full, transparent feasibility study on the ASPS:
Including all transition, infrastructure, oversight, and municipal impact costs. -
Strengthen the current RCMP model:
Invest in more officers, modern equipment, and improved service delivery to better support Alberta communities.