Newly appointed border sheriffs want fair pay

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Days after receiving the Dec. 12 news from Premier Danielle Smith that a new Interdiction Patrol Team would be formed within the Alberta Sheriffs, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) responded with consternation. It believes a pay raise for sheriffs is the next order of business.

 The premier moved quickly after Donald Trump threatened Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs unless America’s bordering neighbours crack down on drug smuggling, gun trafficking, and other illegal activities.

 Smith said the $29-million investment in a new border patrol team will be supported by 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles, 10 support staff of dispatchers and analysts, four drug patrol dogs for vehicle searches, 10 cold weather surveillance drones that can operate in high winds with dedicated pilots, and four narcotics analyzers. The patrol is scheduled to begin operating in early 2025.

 AUPE Vice-president Bobby-Joe Borodey said in a news release, “Alberta sheriffs continue to go above and beyond to keep Albertans safe and continue to see expectations for their services rise. Once again, Alberta sheriffs are expected to do more for less. Sheriffs are rightfully concerned with what this announcement means for their working conditions.”

 Borodey day said the formation of the IPT to patrol the southern border expands the scope of sheriffs responsibilities, putting them almost on par with the RCMP. “A key difference being that RCMP officers are compensated at a much higher rate than sheriffs,” he said. “The ability to complete the work is not the issue. The issue is the lack of fair compensation for more duties.”

 The release said the AUPE wants the Government of Alberta to fairly compensate sheriffs for their ever-expanding scope of work. “Sheriffs are already overworked and underpaid,” Borodey said. “We rightfully expect this latest announcement to be followed with more details, including how sheriffs’ compensation will rise to match their increased responsibilities.”