The provincial government is looking to freeze the amount of money that rural municipalities pay for front-line policing services.
Back in 2019 as rural crime rose in Alberta, the province increased funding for RCMP services. The following year the government began a shared funding model, with municipalities paying 10 per cent of policing costs.
As the years went on the percentage rose, with 2023 costing municipalities 30 per cent. According to the province, the cost of policing is expected to rise to 39 per cent next year.
Because of this, the province has announced that they will be paying the increase for one year, with the deal ending on March 31, 2026.
“Alberta’s government understands that such an increase in costs for service will be a challenge to our rural municipalities," said Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver. "With the costs frozen for a year, we look forward to a comprehensive review of the police funding model with our municipal partners."
The province is expected to foot a $27 million bill throughout next year, which will keep municipalities' cost of policing at 30 per cent.
The Police Funding Model established in 2019 brought 285 RCMP members to the province along with 244 civilian positions.