Would Alberta keep the RCMP, build a provincial police service, or need something new?

Short answer

What this means for Albertans

The practical options are: keep RCMP service through a negotiated contract, replace it with an Alberta police service, or build a mixed model that keeps some RCMP or municipal arrangements while moving other functions into provincial agencies. The pro-independence case says Alberta could gain clearer local control and design policing around provincial needs. The anti-independence / pro-federation case says policing is too operationally sensitive to disrupt without signed contracts, staffing plans, data access, labs, dispatch, training, and municipal and Indigenous agreements.

What each side gets right

• [Pro brief](./pro/) — the strongest case that independence could let Alberta design a policing model around Alberta priorities.
• [Anti brief](./anti/) — the strongest case that RCMP and policing transitions create high-risk service-continuity problems.

What would have to be decided

• Continuity first: can Alberta keep emergency response, rural policing, investigations, records, labs, dispatch, court support, and oversight working during transition?
• Contract reality: would Canada and the RCMP agree to keep serving an independent Alberta, and on what terms?
• Capacity and cost: would a provincial model have enough officers, supervisors, specialist units, infrastructure, training, and predictable funding?
• Local consent: would municipalities, Indigenous governments, police associations, and residents accept the model?
• Proof standard: written contracts, budgets, staffing numbers, service standards, transition dates, and accountability rules matter more than brand labels.

What survives both arguments

• [Neutral synthesis](./neutral/) — what survives both arguments and what evidence would settle the question.