What You Should Know About Policing in Alberta

Albertans are asking tough questions about the Province’s push for a costly new provincial police service, and the answers aren’t adding up. That’s why we’re sharing clear, fact-based information about policing and the RCMP, including answers to some of your most common questions:

Is the Province ending RCMP contract policing?

No. Across Canada, governments are reaffirming their confidence in RCMP contracts with provinces and territories as an affordable, effective model. The federal government’s What We Heard report confirmed strong support for continuing RCMP agreements, and provinces including B.C. and Nova Scotia have recently committed to renewing their contracts beyond 2032. Even Canada’s Public Safety Minister recently told the Senate, “We expect to renew RCMP contracts as they expire in 2032. We don’t anticipate any reduction in services.”

Why does this matter for Alberta? Municipal policing reports, like in Rocky Mountain House, show the RCMP remains the most cost-effective option for communities across the province, avoiding massive transition costs and uncertainty.

What do RCMP response times look like?

When a 9-1-1 call is received, RCMP Members are there to answer, always. Operational data shows Alberta RCMP Members, who cover 99% of the province’s geography (approximately 660,000 square kilometers) respond to 9-1-1 calls in an average of 21 minutes. This is the total time from when the call is received by 9-1-1 operators to an officer arriving on scene.  

Is the Alberta RCMP independent from Ottawa?

Yes. Under the Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA), Alberta—not Ottawa—sets policing priorities and officer numbers. Alberta’s Public Safety Minister and local municipal leaders make those decisions for RCMP-served communities.