Mr. Hehr: Although law enforcement is an inherently dangerous occupation, violence directed towards the RCMP in Alberta has become a common occurrence, as illustrated by the recent swarming and beating of two RCMP officers from the Peace Country. 

Mr. Speaker, how can the Solicitor General keep telling Albertans that their communities are both safe and adequately policed despite Alberta’s funding for police initiatives being in the bottom third of Canadian provinces over the course of the last decade?

Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, the member will know and should know – it’s been explained to him enough times – that the direct comparison of the number of police officers is very unfair. We have additional sheriffs, peace officers that we employ in law enforcement.

I might comment that I think it’s somewhat irresponsible of the member to draw conclusions about what happened at the Cadotte Lake reserve without having the full facts of the investigation before him.

Mr. Hehr: Well, Mr. Speaker, an assault like this is shocking and unacceptable. My specific question for the Solicitor General is: does the Peace Country have adequate police personnel?

Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, the police resources of this province are among the best in North America, and I’m very pleased with their performance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Hehr: Well, Mr. Speaker, Alberta is rapidly approaching a 2012 deadline to renew the service delivery agreement with the RCMP. Just for the record, is the Solicitor General planning to replace the RCMP with an Alberta police force, or is this agreement going to continue?

Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, I’ve said, I believe, in this House before, I’ve said to that member in estimates, and I’ll say it again for the purposes of this House that the contract with the RCMP is under negotiation right now. We will not be replacing the RCMP as a provincial police force in this province.

Alberta Hansard, April 12, 2010

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