The Alberta government is sending two cabinet ministers to Texas to meet with public officials and exchange information on best practices in public safety and justice to enhance safety through cross-border collaboration.
Deputy Premier and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and Justice Minister Mickey Amery will travel to Dallas on Jan. 4 to meet with officials, police, and non-government organizations, the province said in a press release.
The ministers will discuss strategies on public safety, justice, and emergency management in hope of getting insights to help guide policies, programs, and services, the province said.
“Alberta and Texas are united by a shared history, common values and enduring ties,” said Amery.
“Learning about each others’ successes and innovations related to the justice system, including digitization and innovative technology, will help us bring back new ideas and approaches we can consider to make our justice system more efficient and effective for Albertans.”
The two ministers will be in Texas on Jan. 4 and 5 on personal time and at their own expense before beginning meetings on Jan. 6 with officials, including the Canadian consul general and police in Dallas.
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Seven support staff will join the ministers during the meetings, said the province.
On Jan. 7, Ellis and Amery will meet with officials from the district attorney’s office and the state justice department.
On Jan. 8 they will meet with the mayor of Dallas, followed by meetings with emergency management and drug trafficking enforcement officials.
On Jan. 9, they’ll be in the state capital of Austin to have meetings with representatives of the courts and the state prosecuting attorney’s office before flying back to Alberta.
Ellis said he looks forward to learning about public safety success strategies Texas has developed.
“By sharing experiences and strategies with Texas, we can enhance public safety and foster trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” he said.
Alberta’s Recent Public Safety Initiatives
On Dec. 12, 2024, the Alberta government launched a $29 million border security plan to address drug smuggling, gun trafficking, and illegal immigration across its border with the United States.
The plan was unveiled as part of the province’s response to the 25 percent tariffs U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to impose on Canadian goods unless the country beefs up border security, but Premier Danielle Smith said the province was already working on a border security plan and planned to implement it regardless of Trump’s tariff threat.
On Dec. 13, the province announced a $5.5 million grant program to combat human trafficking by boosting prevention efforts and supporting victims and survivors. It was the province’s second funding announcement last year to combat human trafficking, after allocating $3.5 million to 21 anti-trafficking organizations in February.
