⚙️RamBuG

Care first insurance is coming to Alberta in 2027. Less control for drivers. More control for insurance companies. Even if you support the UCP, this misses the mark. Contact your MLA.

In mid-February, I joined police Chiefs from Canada and the United States, on a visit to Israel where we met police and community leaders in several cities. I spent time with police officers from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze faiths representing a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I also met with Muslim community leaders who shared openly about their concerns and their reasons for working with police. These officers and community leaders operate in an environment that demands extraordinary vigilance - managing crime, counter terrorism, supporting community and crisis response all amid extreme complexity. Police to police we were able to talk about the toll this work takes on the people who do it. We talked about building trust in communities where there is little trust. We were able to get a glimpse of the undertaking required to police in complex environments. I am grateful for what I was able to learn and share with those we visited and among my North American peers. These missions offer a great deal of insight and valuable perspective. I am grateful for the continued leadership and support of the Edmonton Police Commission who have supported me in this. As police we focus on behavior, not beliefs. Where I have felt challenged this week is in the implication that any community group should have the right to direct where we can learn. I stand by my decision to take the trip to Israel and continue to view it as valuable, among multiple learning experiences I will have in this role. I remain focused on my longstanding and ongoing commitment to dialogue, learning and connection across communities and across boundaries.

RCMP are investigating after a person was fatally shot along Highway 2 near Township Road 490 on Saturday afternoon. According to police, a witness reported seeing a white or grey pickup truck pull up beside a black 2012 Honda Civic while both vehicles were travelling on the highway. The pickup then quickly sped away, and the Civic stopped on the roadside shortly afterward. Officers later determined the driver of the Civic had been struck by gunfire and died. Investigators are still trying to identify the pickup truck involved. Police are asking anyone who was in the area around 2:50 p.m.—especially drivers with dashcam footage from Highway 2 near Township Road 490—to contact Leduc RCMP.

Scene at Edmonton Police Headquarters, where protesters have gathered to demand Chief Warren Driechel resign over his trip to Israel.

We appreciate the stance that Mayor Andrew Knack has taken in relation to the visit of the EPS chief to learn from Israeli police. We know that many Edmonton City Councilors and those on the Police Commission share his frustration. We continue to call for accountability and for answers.