How Should Alberta Share Police Funding Costs?
Official title: Police funding model review engagement
Alberta is reviewing how municipalities share the cost of RCMP policing. Right now, towns that use provincial police pay into a shared fund. The government wants to know if this system is fair—especially for small and rural communities.
Why This Matters
Live in a small Alberta town? Your property taxes help pay for RCMP services. This review could change how much your municipality pays—and that affects local budgets for roads, recreation, and other services. Rural crime response times are also on the table.
What Could Change
The police funding formula could be rewritten for 2026 and beyond. Small towns might pay more or less depending on the new model. The province may also change how it distributes officers to improve rural response times.
Key Issues
- Is the current cost-sharing model fair for municipalities of different sizes?
- How should policing costs be distributed between the province and municipalities?
- Does the funding model adequately address rural crime concerns?
How to Participate
- This engagement is primarily for municipal officials and administrators. Virtual and in-person sessions will be held from May to June 2025 with elected officials, municipal administrators, Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the RCMP.
- Review the Police Funding Regulation and the information sheet to understand the current model.