Question Period Note: Contract Policing

Several contract policing jurisdictions (e.g., Alberta, New Brunswick) that employ the RCMP have signaled that they are considering alternative policing models, including the establishment of their own independent police services.

• The RCMP provides quality policing services in the territories, in all provinces except Quebec and Ontario and in more than 150 municipalities.

• The administration of justice, including policing, falls under the constitutional responsibility of the provinces.

• As such, it is up to provinces, territories and municipalities to decide how best to police their communities.

• Should a jurisdiction that employs the RCMP to deliver local policing elect to establish its own independent police service, the Government of Canada will support fully efforts to advance an effective and efficient transition.

The Minister of Public Safety (PS) is accountable for the management and conduct of the RCMP and for the extent and quality of the services it provides, including under the 166 Police Service Agreements (PSAs or contracts) between the Government of Canada (GC) and provincial, territorial and municipal (P/T/M) governments where the RCMP provides front-line policing services.

Several provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and municipalities (Union of New Brunswick municipalities, Municipality of Cumberland in Nova Scotia) that contract RCMP policing services have recently expressed an interest in exploring alternative policing models, including the establishment of their own provincial and municipal policing services. Surrey, British Columbia, is the only jurisdiction that is currently in the process of transitioning to its own police service.

In recent months, the National Police Federation, which represents 20.000 RCMP members across Canada, has been vocal in the media about their opposition to replacing the RCMP in Alberta. This stance that has since been echoed by the Union of Safety and Justice Employees, which represents non-police employees of the RCMP and across the federal justice system.
There are a number of factors triggering these reviews including; the rising cost of RCMP services stemming from the recent negotiation of the first collective agreement for RCMP regular members; a desire for greater local control, transparency and accountability over policing, and in specific jurisdictions a push for more autonomy from Ottawa.

Notably, the province of Alberta recently commissioned a report that examined the costs of transitioning, and operating an independent police force as well as the model of policing that could be deployed. The report highlighted that:
• transition would take 6 years and cost approximately $366M;
• an independent model would cost less overall to operate ($735M to $759M annually) than the current model (approximately $783M). However, with the loss of the federal cost share (approximately $170-$195M annually) the annual cost to the province and municipalities currently policed by RCMP would increase; and,
• implementing a new policing model would provide Alberta with an opportunity to address key challenges with the existing model, namely: more local control over policing and associated costs, tailored and innovative approaches to public safety that meet the needs of local communities and address root causes of crime, and enhanced local accountability and oversight through local boards and commissions.

The 20-year P/T/M Police Service Agreements, which were renewed in 2012, are set until 2032. The agreements may be terminated on March 31 in any year by either party giving the other party notice of such termination not less than 24 months prior to the date of the intended termination. The agreements bind the parties to working together to effect an orderly transition.

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