RCMP union challenges Alberta panel report advocating Mountie replacement

The head of the national RCMP union is criticizing a provincial panel report that recommends Alberta continue efforts to replace the Mounties with a provincial police force.

Brian Sauve, president of the National Police Federation, described the Alberta Next panel’s report as “misleading,” saying it relies on outdated references and misinterpreted federal policies to support its conclusions. He added the panel appears to be reviving a proposal that Albertans have already rejected in past consultations.

The Alberta Next Panel, established and chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, was tasked with gathering public input on resetting Alberta’s relationship with the federal government. Throughout 2025, the panel conducted surveys and town hall meetings across the province to gauge opinions on policing and other federal-provincial issues.

In its report released just before Christmas, the panel expressed concerns over the effectiveness of the RCMP in Alberta and recommended the provincial government continue exploring a replacement with a locally controlled police service.

The proposal to transition away from the RCMP has long been a topic of debate in Alberta, drawing both support and opposition from community groups, municipal leaders, and political parties.