The Government of Alberta is conducting a review of the Police Funding Model; information is now available on some engagement opportunities.
PLEASE NOTE: There have been changes to the engagement opportunities since the release of this bulletin. Click here for the most up-to-date information.
The Government of Alberta is conducting a review of the Police Funding Model (PFM) review from May to July. An independent contractor is leading the review process, which aims to evaluate the PFM and identify potential changes to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of municipalities policed by the RCMP, with the goal of identifying potential changes to ensure that the PFM promotes long-term fairness, shared fiscal responsibility, and sustainability.
This review will include opportunities for engagement, including:
- Survey
- Not yet available
- Four in-person regional engagement sessions for elected officials. It is RMA’s understanding that invitations for these sessions have been sent directly to municipalities.
- June 4 at 10:30am in Fort McMurray, MacDonald Island Park Ballroom
- June 5 at 2:00pm in Grande Prairie, Design Works Centre, KMSC Law Meeting Rooms A&B
- Red Deer – specific time, data and location not yet known
- Airdrie – specific time, data and location not yet known
- Virtual engagement sessions for CAOs
- Time, date and format not yet known
The current PFM is significantly flawed. It places a disproportionate burden on rural municipalities to contribute to policing, has no alignment to service levels, and includes no provisions for transparency or accountability to municipalities in terms of how their contributions are used. RMA views the current engagement as an opportunity for the Government of Alberta to correct the current flawed PFM structure.
RMA has created a member guide to facilitate member participation in the engagement process. The member guide follows three key themes, each of which include recommendations for how the PFM can be reworked to better support rural municipalities:
- Link the PFM to service levels
- Redeveloping the PFM through a rural lens
- Cost contributions should equate to input and accountability
RMA is encouraging all members to use this member guide to share their own story regarding the cost of the PFM and the service levels of provincial policing that they are experiencing as a result of the PFM.
RMA has also released other PFM-related resources in recent months that will support member involvement in the engagement process including the following:
- PFM Member Resource – A detailed overview of the current PFM formula as well as priority areas for change.
- PFM Member Survey: What we Heard – A summary of RMA’s member survey responses in relation to impacts of the PFM on community safety and municipal finances.
RMA will provide further details and resources to members as more information about this review become available.
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
825.319.2245
kallie@rmalberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@rmalberta.com