Shandro takes shots at Edmonton councillors over police budget, but misses on some facts
Alberta's justice minister is facing criticism for "strange" and "remarkably unhelpful" comments he made in the legislature on Tuesday when an NDP MLA asked him to help fight crime in Chinatown.
Tyler Shandro stated two men who died recently were the victims of shootings, which is not the information police provided or what autopsies later determined. He tweeted the exchange, in which he also accused Edmonton City Council of cutting the police budget by $22 million, something a pair of councillors immediately disputed.
Shandro shrugged and struggled to find an explanation on Wednesday when CTV News Edmonton asked him about being incorrect on how the Chinatown victims died.
"That's something I was advised of, I don't know if I have any other information to tell you about that, if it was incorrect…" he trailed off while shaking his head.
Shandro said "that's good" when CTV News Edmonton told him that councillors have said his statements about "an effective cut" being announced are also inaccurate.
"Well, I, think I made it clear that I have concerns. The information that I was given, is that it would be an essential $22 million cut, this proposal, so I have concerns with that. If they are respecting the independence of the police commission, then I'm happy," he said.
Shandro also stated that councillors didn't advise or work with the police commission on the issue, but chair John McDougall was in the room and spoke on May 18 when the issue was discussed publicly at a city committee meeting.
Coun. Aaron Paquette called Shandro's initial comments "strange" and explained council, as a whole, has yet to debate or vote on changes to the police funding formula.
That proposal could freeze base funding for Edmonton Police Service at $385 million, which is a slight increase on the current level, but a final vote on that is not expected until Friday.
"Minister, the city is always open to your questions and I know we would happily walk with you through Chinatown to help illustrate the challenges," Paquette offered.
Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi called a Shandro tweet on the issue "a remarkably unhelpful contribution."
Coun. Andrew Knack thanked Shandro for his comment, but explained he's wrong in stating that a cut had already been announced.
"EPS has received $22 million per year from photo radar revenue. If this were to stop, and council did not subsequently add that to the tax base, then there could be a cut. But to be clear, no one has suggested that at all so the idea that council is considering a cut to EPS’ funding is not accurate," Knack wrote in a blog post aimed at clearing up confusion.
$850K FOR CRIME STOPPERS
Shandro, and Edmonton Police chief Dale McFee, were part of an announcement Wednesday that the province will provide $850,000 over three years to Crime Stoppers, which up until now had received no government money.
"That's money that will not just help fund Crime Stoppers core operations, it will allow them to expand their capacity to prevent crime," Shandro said.
"That means that everything from conducting public education campaigns, to working with police services to crack down on gangs and illegal weapons activities."
McFee explained that Crime Stoppers, which had functioned since 1983 on donations and volunteers, is a vital tool for police.
"In 2021 alone, Edmonton and Northern Alberta Crime Stoppers received over 5,000 tips leading to the arrest of 183 people, 203 cases cleared, 749 charges laid and more than $670,000 worth of drugs seized," McFee told reporters.
Alberta wide, Crime Stoppers is credited with assisting in 400 arrests in 2020, Shandro stated.
The co-founder of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society believes the investment will help, but she's still hopeful for more officers in Chinatown.
"We need more police presence, we need more foot patrol. Lack of police presence, even on bicycles, we need them engaging in the community to find out what’s happening in the area," Sandy Pon told CTV News Edmonton.
Last week, McFee said he was rushing a plan to divert more officers into the core and on Tuesday an EPS spokesperson pegged that number somewhere between 30 and 50.
"I worry about police being used as a silver bullet to every social problem," said Criminologist Temitope Oriola.
He believes Chinatown needs a broader safety plan with a focus on the issues of mental health, homelessness and addiction.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.