Rising costs affect every Albertan, whether it’s the cost of food, electricity, or even policing.
The new RCMP collective agreement will result in a 39 per cent increase in policing costs for rural municipalities. Those rising costs would be eaten by the local governments themselves, resulting in higher taxes, cut services, and less money in the pocket of our community members.
This is a concern, which is why Alberta’s government is temporarily freezing the amount rural municipalities are responsible for paying for front-line policing services.
$27 million that would have been downloaded on municipalities and members of the community will now be covered by the province.
Municipal engagement remains paramount to Alberta’s government.
The freeze will allow us time to conduct this review and to seek municipalities’ feedback on the funding model. We look forward to providing more details on the engagement in the future. Our goal is to make decisions that reflect fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the unique needs of smaller communities.
The Police Funding Regulation took effect in 2020. Before these regulations municipalities with populations of 5,000 or less, municipal districts and counties (i.e., those served by the RCMP) weren’t charged for their police services.
The regulation expires in March 2025; it is standard practice for regulations to include an expiry date. The funding regulation was designed to be updated in five years to reflect current policing costs instead of 2018 costs.
Rural municipalities should know their provincial government will always stand up for them, making them safer and keeping them from being overwhelmed by increasing costs. All the while ensuring that effective and safe policing is delivered.
The cost freeze also addresses the reality that rural Albertans face high crime rates. These communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by property crime and organized criminal activity.
United Conservatives will not abandon rural communities to rising crime or unsustainable costs. By freezing policing costs, we are working to ensure that all municipalities can retain the level of police protection they have budgeted for. Over the coming year, we will continue collaborating with municipalities to create a sustainable funding model that meets the unique needs of rural Albertans, while keeping safety and stability front and center.
On another note, Alberta’s government has tabled amendments to strengthen prompt payment for construction projects and improve governance in condominium communities.
If passed, the bill would make amendments to the Condominium Property Act to provide the framework for establishing the long-anticipated Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal. The tribunal will make it easier and more affordable for condominium owners and corporations to resolve common disputes outside the court system.
The bill would also establish that chargebacks to owners for the damage they have caused will be treated as contributions (condominium fees), which will better protect the overall financial health and well-being of the condominium community.
Other amendments include the provision of a simple form of voting for simple matters, such as approving a meeting agenda.
Additionally, the bill will establish the basis for technical requirements for newly built condominiums to protect consumers against structural or other defects in the construction of condominiums.
- MLA Jackie Lovely can be contacted at her constituency office located at #104, 4870 51 Street, Camrose AB, T4V 1S1, or by telephone at 780-672-0000.
