06/25/2026
David Shepherd is running once again to be the MLA for Edmonton-City Centre. What has he been up to over the past eleven years as our MLA, and as the Critic for Public Safety?
It is interesting to note that on March 23, 2026, Mr. Shepherd introduced Motion 508 to the house which reads, "... redirect all resources allocated for the Alberta provincial police service initiative..."
In legislation and parliamentary motions, words matter. As the critic for Public Safety, he should be well aware that the designated Provincial Policing Service for Alberta is, in fact, the RCMP. The literal text of his own motion, calling to redirect all resources away from the provincial police service is a direct call to defund the RCMP. Edmontonians expect their elected representatives to fund and support police services across the province, from EPS, CPS, and the RCMP. Thankfully other MLAs were present to hold him to account:
"I can tell you that in this motion, when I read this, it’s not only defunding the RCMP, but it’s defunding, quite frankly, the Alberta sheriffs. Mr. Speaker, we are not going to defund the RCMP. We are not going to defund the Alberta sheriffs. We are going to make sure the people in this province have proper public safety."
- Minister Mike Ellis
"Mr. Speaker, as I’m sure members of the opposition are aware, police services that exist today – Alberta’s provincial police service is, in fact, the RCMP. The motion reads, “redirect all resources allocated for the Alberta provincial police service.” This is just another attempt of the opposition to defund not just the police but directly defund the RCMP."
- MLA Jackie Lovely
The people of downtown Edmonton need an MLA who supports police services, not someone who puts forward a motion to arbitrarily defund them. What is his excuse for bringing this forward? Our community deserves a representative with a comprehensive, precise understanding of how to keep communities safe. Someone willing to work with partners in public safety, to keep Albertans and Edmontonians safe.