This release was issued under a previous government.

“Today was an important step in building collaborative and healthy relationships with my federal, provincial and territorial counterparts in justice and public safety. I look forward to working further with my colleagues on matters that are important to Albertans.

“As a group, we discussed several issues, including violence against Indigenous women and girls, reconciliation, physician-assisted dying, countering radicalization, cyber security, and financing and innovating the justice system.

“I had the opportunity to raise the pressing issue of the impact fentanyl is having in Alberta. In addition to the public health response, a law enforcement response is crucial to ensuring we disrupt trafficking of this dangerous and deadly drug.

“I also raised the need for predictable, stable funding from our federal government for programs like drug treatment courts and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, which tackle serious and organized crime.”

“I am hopeful the federal government will follow through on its election commitment to provide additional funding to provinces to support police task forces that combat guns and gangs. Our government knows this would greatly assist the law enforcement response to fentanyl within Alberta. In my discussions with my colleagues I was impressed by their willingness to work together and share information and experiences, and I am confident this issue will be no different.”

“We are committed to ensuring Albertans live in safe and resilient communities and will continue to work with our federal counterparts to secure additional funding for the province to deal with this issue.

“Albertans rightly expect effective policing, a fair, innovative and efficient justice system, as well as supports for victims of crime.”