Canadian context

IntroDuction
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IntroDuction

RCMP contract policing is being reconsidered not just in Alberta, but across Canada.

Canadian Context

Rethinking policing across Canada

RCMP policing at the local level is being reconsidered not just in Alberta, but across Canada.

Other Provincial Police in Canada

Federal Government

In 2019, the federal government confirmed that there are systemic sustainability challenges impacting the entire RCMP. This was disclosed as part of a briefing note provided by Public Safety Canada to the federal Minister of Public Safety (the minister responsible for the RCMP). As part of this, the government shared that:

  • The Government of Canada has been aiming to decrease its contract policing costs since the 1960s.
  • There is growing dissatisfaction from communities related to costs and officer vacancies.
  • The demand for contract officers exceeds the RCMP’s capacity to recruit and train.
  • Federal policing capacity is being sacrificed to meet the RCMP’s contract policing demands.
  • Since 2010, RCMP contract policing officers increased 17% and federal officers decreased 30%.
  • Federal budget reductions/shortfalls have disproportionately impacted federal policing.
  • The Government of Canada is not recovering all costs related to policing in contract jurisdictions.

In June 2021, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security released a report on RCMP contract policing. It recommended that the federal government explore the possibility of ending contract policing and work with the provinces and municipalities to help those interested establish their own police services.

In December 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau's mandate letter to the Minister of Public Safety Canada directed that Minister to conduct an assessment of RCMP contract policing in consultation with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders.

Learn More about the Federal Government's View on Contract Policing

Learn More
Canadian Context
Other Provincial Police in Canada

British Columbia

An all-party committee in B.C. released a report recommending a new provincial police service. The province is determining next steps in making this transition.

Saskatchewan

In the 2021 Speech from the Throne, the province shared its intent to look into re-establishing its ownprovincial police.

In November 2022, Saskatchewan’s government took a step toward developing greater provincial policing capacity by announcing the creation of marshals service to supplement the RCMP and municipal police.

Manitoba

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service is a recent and innovative alternative to RCMP contract policing for some Indigenous communities.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick's provincial government is considering creating a provincial police service. The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick has called on the province to study policing services due to the rising costs of RCMP contract policing.

The City of Moncton has hired an independent expert to review whether it should keep the RCMP or move to another policing model.

Nova Scotia

The Government of Nova Scotia plans to review policing service models, including examining the possible creation of a provincial police force once the Mass Casualty Commission into the April 2020 Nova Scotia mass killings has completed its work.

Five municipalities in Nova Scotia, including Halifax Regional Municipality, have begun formal reviews of their RCMP municipal policing model.

Canadian Context

Provincial policing in other provinces

Three other provinces already have their own provincial police.

Other Provincial Police in Canada

Ontario

The Ontario Provincial Police provides a broad range of day-to-day community policing services. The RCMP also has about 1,749 officers working in Ontario to meet its federal policing responsibilities.

Quebec

Québec also has its own provincial police service, the Sûreté du Québec. Similar to Ontario, and the RCMP has about 886 officers working in Québec who are responsible mainly for federal law enforcement, while the Sûreté du Québec provides community policing services among other law enforcement duties.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial police service. The RNC serves many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador with the remainder receiving policing services from the RCMP.

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The future of
provincial policing

Imagine a future where you and others have the right police services and resources at the right place and time, anywhere in Alberta.

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