The Town of St. Paul says its current RCMP funding model is no longer workable and will be pressing the province for change after councillors raised concerns about the escalating cost of policing at their 24 November meeting.

A Quarter of All Town Revenue Goes to Policing

During a review of the town’s financial variance reports, CAO Steven Jeffery noted that St. Paul now spends more than 25 per cent of its total revenue — roughly $2.6 million a year — on policing alone. Under the Municipal Police Service Agreement for municipalities between 5,000 and 15,000 people, St. Paul is required to cover 70 per cent of RCMP contract costs.

Jeffery stressed that the issue is not RCMP performance or local policing needs, but the provincial–federal funding formula itself. One statement stood out during the discussion and is likely to be echoed across Alberta:

“This is a crippling expense.”

One Size Does Not Fit All

Council noted that the cost burden does not reflect what communities can realistically afford. Mayor Glenn Andersen noted that St. Paul’s limited commercial and industrial tax base puts it at a disadvantage compared to similarly sized towns. Once a municipality exceeds the population threshold of 5,000, it is presumed to have the capacity to pay the RCMP share — a presumption council says does not reflect St. Paul’s reality.

No Movement on Funding Model

Councillors questioned whether the federal or provincial governments have explored revising the funding structure. Jeffery said he has not seen any indications of change and reiterated the need for direct advocacy.

The provincial policing grant has also remained flat for more than a decade, even as costs continue to rise — another factor council described as unsustainable.

Town to Request Meeting with Province

Council agreed to seek a meeting with MLA Scott Cyr and Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis. The goal is to present St. Paul’s financial numbers, outline its limited revenue base, and push for a review of the current funding system.

A formal motion was passed to pursue the meeting and to advocate for a more equitable policing model that reflects the Town of St. Paul’s specific financial realities.