Similar to many Albertans, Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs is tired of rural crime, but unlike the average citizen, she can take the issue to the big guns.
Later this month, Stubbs will be presenting a motion in the House of Commons, where she hopes to sway some votes on combating rural crime.
“The issue of rural crime has become a crisis in rural communities in Alberta, but also is an escalating problem in rural communities right across the country,” expressed Stubbs.
This is why she has chosen to discuss the issue during her moment in the spotlight in the House of Commons.
“I have heard loud and clear the concern, fear, and anger, along with the rightful demands of action from residents, families, municipal associations, crime watch organizations, and businesses,” she said.
Every year, MPs across Canada are given a time slot to talk about concerns within their communities. Stubbs knew this was her chance to start the discussion of rural crime and what needs to be done.
Her motion is to demand action from the Standing Committee on National Safety and Public Security.
According to Stubbs, they’re responsible for justice-related issues.
“I want them to undertake a very thorough analysis of rural crime in Canada and a variety of factors, and to report back to the House within six months of the adoption of the motion with concrete recommendations that we work together in partnership with local communities, rural crime watch associations, and with law enforcement to take real action and combat this very serious issue,” Stubbs explained.
The rise in crime is nothing new, Stubbs said.
In 2015, Canada’s crime index rose for the first time in 12 years. The area to see the biggest jump was western Canada, which lead by a 10 per cent bump.
“Alberta’s uptick was primarily due to an increase in incidents of breaking and entering, theft of $5,000 or under, and motor vehicle theft. Those increases are echoed in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. The issue of increasing rural crime in remote and Indigenous communities, right across Canada, is pressing,” stated Stubbs.
In her motion, Stubbs explains the lack of RCMP members in rural communities, claiming nationally over one in 10 current positions are vacant.
“Canadians have been seeing the news about the resource challenges in the RCMP in these rural and remote communities and their staff shortages. The real consequences are long wait times, and families and businesses in rural areas are being forced to defend themselves or be vulnerable against robberies, break-ins, and vandalism,” she said.
In order to get started, the Alberta Rural Caucus created a Rural Crime Task Force in the fall, where MPs had discussions with members of the community, law enforcement, and crime watch organizations as a way of connecting with their constituents about their concerns.
However, the problem goes beyond Alberta’s borders.
“What I’m doing is working with rural crime watch associations and municipal associations right across Canada to ask them to support the adoption of this motion,” expressed Stubbs.
Her motion has received support from the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association, along with MD Councillors Darcy Skarsen and Mike Krywiak.
“So far, I’m very happy to have received the support of local municipal councillors around Bonnyville, both have endorsed the motion and are supporting it,” Stubbs said.
As MD residents, both expressed the need to address the issue of rural crime in their message of support.
Stubbs is expecting her motion to come before the House of Commons on March 27, where they will debate the issue. It will be brought back into the House a month later for a second debate, and again for the final vote.
Right now, Stubbs is urging Canadians to reach out to their MPs about the issue, and to show their support for the motion.
