Submitted by Chad Krahn of Common Sense Red Deer

Collaboration between the City of Red Deer and the County is at an all-time high.

Case in point, the recent joint trip made by Mayor Woods and Mayor Johnson to the Paris International Airshow in support of the Red Deer Regional Airport.

While it may seem like a big and expensive trip, you can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishing.

If this trip results in attracting a new airline to the Red Deer Regional Airport, it could have a huge impact on our region.

There’s no sense going at it alone if we can work together with our neighbours on bringing prosperity to the area.

And, I have some other suggestions about how to do that!

Now is the perfect time to initiate collaborative projects that benefit the entire region.

The government is discussing the possibility of creating new economic corridors, and it is time for our Mayor to push for a new highway from Red Deer to Kamloops.

Just imagine having a faster and safer highway, which bypasses the mountain parks, allowing for quicker travel from BC to Alberta!

Mayor Johnson and his counterpart in the County, should look to set a meeting with the Mayor of Kamloops to explore the potential of a new superhighway to change travel and trade across western Canada, the same way the Coquihalla Highway changed travel to the lower mainland. A route from Kamloops to Red Deer would be a game changer.

Just imagine if there were no more semis driving that steep pass in Golden or clogging Highway 1 in Banff.

This would position Red Deer as the central hub for trade and traffic between BC and Alberta, make our highways safer, and further protect the National Parks.

Next, it is also important to consider the creation of a local police force for Red Deer.

Recent incidents, such as the $6 million bill to the City for RCMP backpay, have occurred without the involvement or approval of local authorities.

As policing represents the biggest line item in the City’s budget, it would be prudent to explore any alternatives, especially in light of Council’s desire to try to keep tax increases from becoming the norm.

The RCMP has recently revealed that they are struggling with recruitment and have a significant vacancy rate of 17% for officers across Canada.

In Alberta the RCMP is understaffed 13% despite paying for the full complement of officers.

This understaffing no doubt puts pressure on our dedicated officers in Red Deer who are doing their absolute best.

While there’s been lots of talk about whether Alberta should pursue a provincial police force or not, the City of Grande Prairie just went right ahead and ditched the RCMP in favour of a municipal police force earlier this year.

There’s also been increasing discussion in Ottawa of ending the RCMP’s provision of contract policing services across Canada entirely.

This means that, whether the province goes ahead with a provincial police force or not, there is a possibility that we may be required to establish our own police force in the future anyway, so an investigation at least is warranted.

By prioritizing collaboration, we can drive positive change and achieve more effective outcomes for our community.

It is crucial that we consider these opportunities and work together to see Red Deer and our entire region flourish.

If you’d like to contribute to our efforts, and you have the means to do so, will you please help us with a donation:

Regards,

Chad and the Common Sense Red Deer Team