On April 7, 2025, the Government of Alberta tabled Bill 49: Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025. This Bill proposes changes to many different pieces of legislation – notable to members are changes to the Police Act and the Emergency Management Act (EMA).
Bill 49 allows for the Government of Alberta to take significant steps to move forward with the creation of an independent agency police service (IAPS). If the IAPS is ultimately formed, municipalities will have the option of receiving policing services directly from the IAPS instead of through the RCMP or other means currently outlined in the Police Act. There is little clarity currently available on the logistics of these changes.
In regard to the EMA, Bill 49 updates the definition of “emergency” to make it clear that emergencies are sudden and temporary events. Changes also allow for greater provincial government involvement in emergency management at the local level.
In response to these amendments, the RMA has created a resource to help members better understand these changes and advocate for answers to pertinent questions that will affect communities.
RMA will continue to monitor the progress of Bill 49 and will share updates with members, including responses to questions RMA has posed to the Minister, to keep members fully informed on how the proposed changes may affect municipalities going forward.
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
855.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com