“This was an extremely tough decision,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “But in the end, Albertans expect their tax dollars to be invested wisely and the government is committed to this goal.”
This decision is expected to come as a blow to the community of Fort Macleod, where the training centre was planned to cover 340 acres adjacent to Highway 2 southbound, donated by the Town of Fort Macleod, with a total project budget of $122 million, according to the Fort Macleod Gazette (link). Construction was supposed to begin this summer.
Alberta Government press release (excerpted):
Police agencies across the province were asked to provide feedback on their expected use of the Fort Macleod facility after concerns about utilization were raised to the ministry. According to the Government press release, input provided sufficient evidence that one stand-alone facility would not be utilized to a point that it would be financially viable.
The feedback received from police indicated that larger police forces were confident in their existing training facilities that have provided exceptional police training to date. Training at existing facilities would also create less strain in smaller communities as departments would not need to send active officers to a remote location for extended periods of time.
“I believe strongly that the Alberta Government has made the right decision, both as Chief of the Calgary Police Service and as a taxpayer,” said Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson.
“Our cadet training is done in Regina, so we will not require any facilities or training in that regard,” said Dale McGowan, Commanding Officer of RCMP K Division. “Any specialized training needs are being met now at our existing facilities or at various locations throughout Canada.”
“The quality of training for Edmonton police will be maintained through our current facilities and programs, including a new facility recently approved for north Edmonton,” said Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht.
Alberta’s Solicitor General remains committed to implementing standardized training for police and peace officers across the province, which includes a common set of standards and delivery, an approved competency framework and an evidence-based curriculum.
"My priority is to ensure police and peace officers have the skills they need to keep our communities safe and secure,” said Denis. “I am confident this will continue to be accomplished through the development and standardization of training standards and curriculum.”
Related story:
Livingstone-Macleod MLA Pat Stier speaks out against decision to quash Fort Macleod Police College
This is terrible news! Sympathies go out to the people and town of Fort Macleod.
ReplyDeleteI guess with the election over with and a majority government they feel safe to go back on their word.
A conservative government is an organized hypocrisy.
JP
This is another nail being added to the growing number of nails in the perceived optics of payback coffin. Southern Alberta is feeling the punch back under the guise of looking after the taxes of Albertans. Along with the closing of Little Bow Continuing Care Centre in Carmangay. It is interesting that our taxes can go to the likes of Sheila Weatherill and Allaudin Merali but not too the needs of the Southern Alberta Communities that this government is supposed to look after, along with all other Albertans even if they didn’t vote for the majority PC party currently in power. Here is a link to an article by David Climenhaga that says it pretty eloquently regarding Carmangay and the issues they are facing with this majority government:
ReplyDeletehttp://albertadiary.ca/2012/08/understanding-ahs-carmangay-nursing-home-repairs-we-need-the-money-for-allaudin-merali.html
Whatever the government promised to southern Alberta now that the election is over seems to fall short of the promise given even after land was set aside for this much needed training facility for Southern Alberta. Is Southern Alberta communities under attack by this government? It is up to you the reader to decide with the mounting facts rising every day pointing against this governments open door policy for all Albertans.
RB
Is this because Southern Alberta voted for Wild Rose and not PC? hmmm
ReplyDeleteThis project as been ongoing for at least 6-7 years the good people of Fort Macleod have been had.
ReplyDeleteThe Solicitor General's office did not speak to the City of Calgary, Edmonton or the RCMP prior to announcing the training facility?.
Is it normal practice for the province to announce new facilities then a couple of years later determine if the facility is required.
This really does stink, this is another example of why the PC's should have been turfed last election.
In addition it's a reflection of a government that has let it's spending get out of control,now scrambling to trim expenditures because they built the highest spending budget (Per capita in Canada) based on totally unrealistic oil and gas prices.
Dean Ward