Repeal or Delay Implementation of Amendments to Service Alberta User Fees
Resolution Year:
2011
WHEREAS Service Alberta has recently amended its motor vehicle service fee schedule, and;
WHEREAS the amendments in the fee schedule were implemented on very short notice, and;
WHEREAS the amendments to the fees will cause considerable financial hardship on all police services in Alberta, and;
WHEREAS there is significant confusion around how these amendments apply, to what searches they apply and whether police are or are not exempt from these amendments;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Police Governance urge the Provincial Government to immediately repeal or delay implementation of the amendments to the Service Alberta user fees.
Background:
A letter was sent out by Service Alberta to affected agencies in the Province of Alberta towards the end of March, indicated that service fee amendments would be implemented on April 1, 2011. This service fee implements a $15 per search fee for motor vehicle searches.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police and other organizations sent letters of concern to the Minister of Service Alberta. A reply was received by AACP, dated March 31, 2011 stating that the fee only applies to certain searches. The letter states:
The changes apply to motor vehicle data provided electronically for parking violations and photo enforcement programs including photo radar and red light infractions. Police will continue to access, free of charge, timely information required to conduct their business, such as road side checks and criminal investigations.
Arguably, while perhaps not required as “timely information”, police require motor vehicle checks to conduct their business of photo enforcement.
As early estimates indicate that this fee will have a $20 million impact on police services in Alberta, the parameters of this fee must be clarified and an implementation plan devised that will not result in significant negative impacts on Alberta’s police services.
Response:
E-mail sent August 25, 2011
After careful consideration I am able to advise that Cabinet has agreed to suspend implementation of the $15 transaction fee for municipal registry database searches. Instead, any future search fee increases may be considered in consultation with municipalities as part of the 2012-13 Budget review process.
Over the past five months, the Government of Alberta has heard from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, individual municipalities and law enforcement agencies about the impact of this proposed fee on municipalities’ budgets. These groups also identified various approaches government could consider.
I would like to acknowledge and extend my gratitude for the collaboration demonstrated by most stakeholders. I am pleased that in this dialogue, it has generally been agreed upon that investing in our information systems continues to be critical to support the significant and steady increase in motor vehicle search requests.
Best Regards,
Heather Klimchuk
Minister of Service Alberta