Feds still paying off EPS costs from 2022 papal visit

The federal government is in the process of covering more than $785,000 in costs incurred by the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) during Pope Francis' visit to the city in 2022, according to internal documents from last February.

The pontiff spent parts of four days in the Alberta capital region in July of 2022 when he apologized for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system.

Documents from Public Safety Canada (PSC), obtained via an access to information request, indicate the federal government designated the visit as a “major international event” with the RCMP taking the lead on security.

They show EPS incurred $785,160 in expenses while supporting the Mounties during the Pope's time in Alberta.

“(EPS) contributed to joint intelligence, operational security planning and engagement, logistical activities and produced the necessary materials, equipment and services in support of the RCMP-led security operation,” the documents state.

Over 90 per cent of the cost — $709,301 — went toward personnel, including salaries, overtime, and benefits. The remainder was spent on equipment rental, travel, purchased goods and services, and space rentals.

PSC didn't provide answers to questions around specifics of those costs, but a spokesperson stated the department was in the process of repaying the city.

The department stated an initial payment of $667,386 — or 85 per cent of the total — is expected be made to the City of Edmonton in the coming weeks. The remainder will be paid following an auditing of the expenses by a third party.

The documents note there were no reported major security incidents and the visit was a success from a safety and security perspective.

Last year, CBC News reported that Mounties spent at least $13.8 million protecting the Pope over the course of his entire visit, which also included stops in Quebec and Nunavut, with $10.5 million of that coming on the Alberta part of the visit.

EPS declined to provide specifics on staffing, but stated it was “grateful to have been able to support the needs of this major international event.”