Story perspectives

Prince Albert Council to Study Illicit Drugs Act Cost Recovery

8/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prince Albert Council approved Councillor Dawn Kilmer’s motion to assess cost recovery under the Illicit Drugs Act.
The motion orders consultation with the police, city solicitor and other municipalities and will produce a report on Act sections, eligible costs and tracking procedures.
Kilmer said municipalities fund police, fire, support during drug incidents and may recoup costs while the council approved a memorandum and Bylaw Services handled 408 encampments in 2025-2026.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 Canada’s Illicit Drugs Act let municipalities bill the cost of drug-related emergencies, a provision rooted in the UN drug conventions that have guided national policy since the 1960s. By 2022 municipalities reported $1.2 billion in police, fire and health expenses, prompting Prince Albert’s 2025 council, led by Dawn Kilmer, to propose a similar cost-recovery motion with the RCMP and city solicitor.

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Story summary

Prince Albert Council approved Councillor Dawn Kilmer’s motion to assess cost recovery under the Illicit Drugs Act.
The motion orders consultation with the police, city solicitor and other municipalities and will produce a report on Act sections, eligible costs and tracking procedures.
Kilmer said municipalities fund police, fire, support during drug incidents and may recoup costs while the council approved a memorandum and Bylaw Services handled 408 encampments in 2025-2026.

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