As policing costs continue to rise, Alberta is updating its police funding model to ensure essential front-line policing services remain effective and sustainable for rural and small communities. Starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year, municipalities will cover 22 per cent of current front-line policing costs, returning gradually to 30 per cent over the next five years. This phased approach ensures municipal contributions are updated in a measured, sustainable way that supports local budget planning.
When the funding model was introduced in 2020, it created a framework for communities with populations less than 5,000 to contribute up to 30 per cent of front-line policing costs under the Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA). However, with contributions based on outdated 2018 costs, municipalities are currently contributing only 19 per cent of front-line policing costs.
Due to higher costs following RCMP collective agreements, inflation and additional positions enabled by the police funding model, policing expenses in smaller communities have risen by 57 per cent, without any notable changes to service levels. Alberta’s government continues to bridge the funding gap to help offset costs for municipalities, with nearly $32 million projected in 2026-27 to support rural police services.
“Municipalities told us the police funding model needs to be predictable, transparent and easy to understand. Costs have outpaced the original formula, meaning communities currently pay less than their intended share. As policing costs continue to rise, funding front-line policing remains a shared responsibility between the province and municipalities. These updates align municipal contributions with current costs and ensure every dollar collected goes directly to front-line policing in rural communities.”
These changes to the police funding model follow a thorough review and engagement with municipal leaders to build a model that is more predictable and better reflects local service demands. Key updates to how municipal contributions are calculated include:
- Basing contributions on front-line policing costs from the most recent fiscal year.
- Reducing reliance on property values and incorporating calls for service, so contributions are tied to actual policing demand.
- Replacing less effective modifiers such as the crime severity index and detachment subsidy, with new modifiers based on staffing vacancies and population density.
- Providing annual public reports to improve transparency.
“The province's commitment to conducting a review and engaging municipal leaders before finalizing the Police Funding Model shows real partnership. We appreciate the province phasing policing costs over five years to allow municipalities to plan for future budgets, which ensures our rate payers are not hit with additional tax increases.”
Since 2020, the police funding model has supported the addition of 285 police officers and 244 civilian staff to RCMP detachments across Alberta. Funds collected from municipalities are in addition to the province’s contribution and will continue to support rural policing.
“We appreciate the government’s commitment to freeze the police funding model rate and consult with municipalities. The proposed five-year transition provides the budget predictability municipalities require. This approach acknowledges the increased costs of policing and allows us time to adjust without forcing immediate, severe tax hikes on our residents.”
In 2025-26, Alberta’s government is providing $380.5 million for the PPSA as part of a $586-million investment into law enforcement services across the province.
Quick facts
- The province is responsible for providing policing services to municipal districts, counties and municipalities with populations less than 5,000.
- The province contracts and pays for the RCMP to provide this service through the Provincial Police Service Agreement (PPSA) with the federal government.
- Under the PPSA, Alberta pays 70 per cent of provincial policing costs and the federal government covers 30 per cent.
- In 2024-25, municipalities contributed about $67.3 million towards policing costs under the police funding model, while the province covered about $332.3 million.
- The updated model will take effect on April 1, 2026.
Related information
Related news
- Historic investment in rural policing (Dec. 4, 2019)
- Helping rural municipalities with policing costs (Nov. 6, 2024)