Alberta is ‘undermining public safety’ and ‘interfering’ with the RCMP’s obligations to enforce a federal law on firearms, Minister Marco Mendicino says
In Saskatchewan, Public Safety Minister Christine Tell sent a similar letter to RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. She wrote that the province will not “authorize the use of provincially-funded resources of any type” for the federal government’s buyback program, saying it infringes on the rights of responsible gun owners.
“Despite these objections, we expect the federal Liberals will again use the RCMP for their own political purposes,” he said. Dr. O’Byrne said the RCMP maintain a federal policing role in Alberta above and beyond their provincial and municipal contracts. Should both provinces continue in the pursuit of contravening federal law, she said it could lead to “serious confusion” and further taint government relations.
“Sometimes, compromises have to be found, and in a case where both governments are unwilling to budge, then it’s possible that one party could seek a judicial review of the terms of the contract, but I really don’t see that as where this particular dispute is heading,” Mr. Adams said in an interview.