Under a Ted Morton-led government, Alberta would create its own provincial police force and urge the federal government to hand power back to the provinces to appoint judges.
The Tory leadership hopeful took time away from a conservative think-tank’s conference today to renew his call for a provincial police force.
“While I have a great deal of respect for the RCMP, I think that Albertans will receive more effective law enforcement from a police force that reports to Edmonton rather than Regina and Ottawa,” said Morton, one of nine candidates to replace retiring Premier Ralph Klein.
He pointed specifically to drug crimes, saying a provincial force would be more effective than the RCMP in working with municipal forces to curb the spread of such activity.
“In communities I represent, parents are concerned that the RCMP too often leaves local dealers on the street in their attempt to arrest sources higher up the supply chain,” said Morton.
Alberta’s contract with the RCMP expires in 2012, and Morton said it wouldn’t cost tax payers more to fund a provincial force compared to the RCMP.
Alberta had a provincial police force until 1935 when the province went bankrupt, he added.
Morton also said it’s important for Alberta to appoint its own provincial superior court judges because the current system violates the principle of equality.
“It also means that most Alberta judges have been appointed by the federal Liberal Party - a party whose philosophy and policies have been overwhelmingly rejected by Albertans for the past half-century,” said Morton.
Alberta Tories will vote for a new leader on Nov. 25.
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