The public want the RCMP to stay in Alberta, and so do the police members themselves, according to a new campaign organized by the National Police Federation.

A survey done for the group found that 81 per cent of people living in communities served by the RCMP were satisfied or very satisfied with the force.

"Anybody running for office would love to have those numbers," says Kevin Halwa, an RCMP member himself, and one of two Alberta directors for the National Police Federation. Moreover, RCMP members feel the same way, he says. "We have deep roots in Alberta and we want it to stay that way."

Alberta's Fair Deal Panel recommended replacing the RCMP with a new provincial police force, and the Alberta government has commissioned a $2 million study into this.

That is barely the beginning of the cost of establishing an Alberta provincial police force, Halwa warns. Just taking over the offices and equipment, as well as establishing a training centre and management will cost many millions more, he notes. The City of Surrey B.C. alone spent $64 million to do this.

Then there is the $150 million the Federal government currently contributes annually to the RCMP in Alberta.

"The costs are absolutely huge," Halwa says. Alberta and Albertans are struggling with a pandemic, high unemployment and low oil prices.

"Right now is just not the time." 

Find out more about the campaign and how you can help at www.keepalbertaRCMP.ca