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Alberta

“We can no longer watch our city decay” EPS Chief Dale McFee on province’s “zero tolerance for crime” initiative

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Zero tolerance for crime

New targeted prosecution units and stricter bail protocol will make offenders accountable for their actions and better protect Albertans from violent criminal activity.

Albertans deserve to feel safe and protected from repeat violent offenders, which is why the province is introducing new measures to make sure Albertans feel secure and protected in their communities.

Targeted prosecution units in Alberta’s major urban centres will help address deteriorating safety and keep Albertans safe from those who commit violent crimes. The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) will create teams with expertise to focus on the increased level of crime and the prosecution of violent criminals in Edmonton and Calgary. Prosecutors on these teams will work with law enforcement to focus on specific issues affecting these communities, including drug houses and available social supports, and how these factors affect the amount and type of crime occurring.

“The position of the Alberta government is absolutely clear: there is no safe haven in Alberta for criminals. These changes add to our existing efforts to make sure all criminals, especially repeat violent offenders, are held accountable for their actions.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General 

Changes to the bail practice protocol for Crown prosecutors will prioritize public safety and take a tough approach on crime caused by repeat violent offenders and gang activity. The protocol provides guidance to prosecutors to seek to detain any accused who is a threat to public safety, especially repeat violent offenders, unless the risk to public safety can be addressed by bail conditions. Prosecutors must evaluate the risk that the accused will commit another offence if released.

In addition, the attorney general is terminating the triage practice protocol, which has been met with public concern since it came into effect in 2017. Eliminating this protocol will better address violent crimes in the community and ensure all viable charges are prosecuted. This change is possible through government investments in the ACPS, which give the prosecutors resources to fully prosecute all matters involving violence.

“In the absence of needed bail reform from the federal government, Alberta is taking a zero-tolerance approach to ensure citizens are safe and secure in their communities. Violence, social disorder and open-air drug use is unacceptable, and we will do everything in our power to take back our streets and ensure they’re safe for Albertans.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

These measures build on several actions Alberta’s government is taking to improve public safety, including increased investments in the Alberta Sheriffs, additional funding to hire 100 more street-level police officers in Edmonton and Calgary, and a $5-million grant to each city to improve public safety on their transit networks.

“The criminal activity and disorder that is happening on our city streets is truly devastating. I am pleased by the changes being proposed by the minister of justice and the new approach of Edmonton Police Service to keep public spaces safe. These interventions are important to stabilize the situation while we continue to work together on long-term solutions.”

Amarjeet Sohi, mayor, City of Edmonton

“There is no question that Edmontonians are concerned about the condition of their city’s public spaces, with open-air drug use and associated crime and violence a top issue. We have many government and community partners we lean on to support those impacted by mental health, addiction and victimization, and will continue to do so, but the EPS is taking a clear stance on the criminality and disorder being directly fed by the drug trade.”

Dale McFee, chief, Edmonton Police Service

Together, these initiatives will help strengthen the Alberta justice system and the ability to prosecute crimes and keep repeat violent offenders off the street.

Quick facts

  • Investments in the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service include the addition of 50 new trial prosecutor positions since 2017.
  • Public concern about the triage practice protocol introduced in 2017 resulted in some prosecutions not proceeding even if they were in the public interest and had a reasonable likelihood of conviction.
  • Alberta is providing funding for 100 new front-line police officers in Calgary and Edmonton – 50 in each city.
  • The Alberta Transit Cleanup Grant is providing Edmonton and Calgary with $5 million each for initiatives that create a safer, more welcoming environment for transit riders.
  • In February 2023, the Alberta Sheriffs entered into an agreement with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) to deploy 12 sheriffs for a 15-week pilot project to address public safety and social disorder in the downtown core. In response to a request from EPS, 10 sheriffs remain deployed with EPS until the end of the year.

This is a news release from the Government of Alberta.

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Alberta

Red Deer Justice Centre Grand Opening: Building access to justice for Albertans

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The new Red Deer Justice Centre will help Albertans resolve their legal matters faster.

Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. Modernizing Alberta’s courthouse infrastructure will help make sure Alberta’s justice system runs efficiently and meets the needs of the province’s growing population.

Alberta’s government has invested $191 million to build the new Red Deer Justice Centre, increasing the number of courtrooms from eight to 12, allowing more cases to be heard at one time.

“Modern, accessible courthouses and streamlined services not only strengthen our justice
system – they build safer, stronger communities across the province. Investing in the new Red Deer Justice Centre is vital to helping our justice system operate more efficiently, and will give people in Red Deer and across central Alberta better access to justice.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Government of Alberta and Judiciary representatives with special guests at the Red Deer Justice Centre plaque unveiling event April 22, 2025.

On March 3, all court services in Red Deer began operating out of the new justice centre. The new justice centre has 12 courtrooms fully built and equipped with video-conference equipment to allow witnesses to attend remotely if they cannot travel, and vulnerable witnesses to testify from outside the courtroom.

The new justice centre also has spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with the three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a specific suite for other dispute resolution services, such as family mediation and civil mediation, and a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes.

“We are very excited about this new courthouse for central Alberta. Investing in the places where people seek justice shows respect for the rights of all Albertans. The Red Deer Justice Centre fills a significant infrastructure need for this rapidly growing part of the province. It is also an important symbol of the rule of law, meaning that none of us are above the law, and there is an independent judiciary to decide disputes. This is essential for a healthy functioning democracy.”

Ritu Khullar, chief justice of Alberta

“Public safety and access to justice go hand in hand. With this investment in the new Red Deer Justice Centre, Alberta’s government is ensuring that communities are safer, legal matters are resolved more efficiently and all Albertans get the support they need.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

“This state-of-the-art facility will serve the people of Red Deer and surrounding communities for generations. Our team at Infrastructure is incredibly proud of the work done to plan, design and build this project. I want to thank everyone, at all levels, who helped make this project a reality.”

Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure

Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

Quick facts

  • The new Red Deer Justice Centre is 312,000 sq ft (29,000 m2). (The old courthouse is 98,780 sq ft (9,177 m2)).
  • The approved project funding for the Red Deer Justice Centre is about $191 million.
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Alberta

Made in Alberta! Province makes it easier to support local products with Buy Local program

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Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

When the going gets tough, Albertans stick together. That’s why Alberta’s government is launching a new campaign to benefit hard-working Albertans.

Global uncertainty is threatening the livelihoods of hard-working Alberta farmers, ranchers, processors and their families. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.

The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

“It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

Quick facts

  • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food.
  • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
  • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.
  • Made in Alberta product catalogue website

 

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