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Albertans want confidence in justice system

The NDP stooped to a new low last week when they targeted the UCP’s commitment to review funding for rural policing.

The NDP stooped to a new low last week when they targeted the UCP’s commitment to review funding for rural policing.

After four years of total inaction on rural crime, it’s outrageous that the Opposition would try to stir up fear among already hard-hit rural communities which they have absolutely ignored over the past four years.

The 2019 election saw a dramatic blue wave sweep rural Alberta as rural folks voted for the government they thought most likely to consult them on issues that mattered (Bill 6, anyone?) and to keep them safe amid a mounting rural crime epidemic. As the MLA for one of the province’s most affected constituencies, let me be clear: we intend to fulfil these promises.

The statistics are bleak. Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre has among the province’s highest rates of rape, property crime, and other violent crime. I hammered on this issue for four years during the NDP’s tenure, but my requests for more front-line police and more resources for communities fell on deaf ears.

The UCP government was elected with a mandate to give law enforcement the tools and resources necessary to keep Albertans safe, secure and protected. Because of this, we’re keeping our commitment to review the police funding model.

We’ve been listening to Albertans, municipalities and others and have presented a number of models to continue moving the conversation with a focus on the pros and cons.

Regardless of which model is chosen, funds collected would be reinvested in front-line policing, leading to an overall increase in funding for police services in Alberta. We are not decreasing funding; if anything, we are increasing the size of the funding pie.

The bottom line is that we want Albertans to have confidence that our justice system will protect them, their families and their property. For four years the NDP only paid lip service to the concerns of rural families. Now they are using them as pawns to gain political traction after a humiliating election loss.

The people of Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre represent more than just an opportunity for the Opposition to score cheap political points. This shameful behaviour should be condemned by all Albertans.

We are currently working on a date for a rural crime townhall with myself and Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer in the constituency. Please stay tuned for more information.

- Nixon is the UCP MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre.

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