The Alberta Government is making changes to crime-related legislation.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis introduced the new legislation in several parts on April 7, with the first focused on the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act.
“Scrap metal-related crime such as copper wire and catalytic converter theft is a serious problem that threatens public safety, critical infrastructure, the economy and the environment," said Ellis. "These amendments give local law enforcement the flexibility needed to respond effectively to this dangerous and costly criminal behaviour and will help restore the sense of security that has been stolen from communities and rural residents throughout the province in recent years.”
Changes in the act will improve sales reporting requirements for scrap metal businesses, allow officers to issue tickets rather than court summons, and help streamline the justice system for minor offences.
Purchasers of scrap metal will be required to record transaction details to improve the traceability of the product, including the dollar value of the sale, the per-ounce price of the metal purchased and the vehicle identification number and proof of ownership for catalytic converters which will be entered into a law-enforcement accessible database.
The Justice of the Peace Regulation will be amended to allow justices the authority to handle scrap metal offences, and offenders will be given the option of paying the fine or fighting the charge in traffic.
These changes are being made to free resources at higher-level courts.
According to a release announcing the changes, copper wire theft has increased by over 90 per cent since 2021.
Another proposed change is to the Police Act through Bill 49.
Bill 49 will lay the groundwork for a new "police-like" service in the province.
The new agency would be developed as a Crown corporation overseen by a board of directors to ensure it remains at arm's length from the government.
Ellis says that if the agency is established, officers will come from the Alberta Sheriffs and receive some additional training to certify them as police officers.
Of the approximately 1,300 sheriffs currently working, Ellis says around 600 already perform police-like duties such as highway patrol, surveillance or fugitive apprehension and could be made police officers with little additional training.
It is unknown what additional training would be required to get them to full police officers, this legislation just establishes the framework for the new agency.
“With this bill, we are taking the necessary steps to address the unique public safety concerns in communities across Alberta," said Ellis. "As we work towards creating an independent agency police service, we are providing an essential component of Alberta’s police framework for years to come. Our aim is for the new agency is to ensure that Albertans are safe in their communities and receive the best possible service when they need it most.”
During the press conference, Ellis noted that 35 communities have taken advantage of grants established to look at policing in their municipalities and look at the new provincial police agency as a policing option.
According to Ellis, the province is currently charged around $16 million per year for the services of the RCMP, which is currently running from 17-20 per cent under staffed across the country.
"When you're talking about that level of shortage, unauthorized strength levels, now we're talking about public safety concerns, and I have legitimate public safety concerns," said Ellis, when asked why the province is proceeding with the new agency despite polling which Albertans don't support it due to the potential costs involved. "If municipalities want to continue with their current police of jurisdiction, if they want to continue with their contract service provider, they can."
A final change introduced during the press conference, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team is being moved under a newly created Police Review Commission, an arm's length civilian oversight committee whose role will be the independent investigation of all levels of police misconduct complaints in the province.
The Police Review Commission will be responsible for handling all complaints against police officers in Alberta. The commission is currently establishing an oversight framework, guidelines and policies.
