Calgary City Council has given the green light to a comprehensive jurisdictional scan aimed at improving enforcement and accountability for shoplifting offenses, particularly those involving items valued under $100. The motion, which passed with a decisive 13-2 vote, directs city administration to analyze potential approaches outside the Criminal Code of Canada and investigate how other municipalities have tackled similar retail theft problems.
Revised Motion Focuses on Review Rather Than Immediate Bylaw Changes
The proposal originated from Ward 10 Councillor Andre Chabot, who initially sought to amend existing city bylaws to impose a $250 fine or other penalties for shoplifting offenses. However, the language was revised ahead of Tuesday's regular council meeting to instead call for a thorough review of options and jurisdictional analysis. Chabot emphasized that shoplifting represents a nationwide issue that has eroded public trust in enforcement systems.
"This is something that's occurring throughout the country and so many enforcement folks, peace officers, have been told to turn a blind eye to this and it's eroded public trust to the point where people have stopped reporting it," Chabot stated during council deliberations. "We can't really be effective unless we have the tools to work with and we need to know where criminal activity is happening, how much criminal activity is happening, and this is a tool to try and, at least, find solutions to that."
Police Support for Alternative Enforcement Methods
Two representatives from the Calgary Police Service appeared before council to advocate for Chabot's proposal. Geoff Hoover, CPS acting sergeant, explained that minor shoplifting offenses currently fall under the Criminal Code of Canada's theft under $5,000 category, but criminal charges for these offenses are frequently withdrawn due to prosecutorial resource constraints and court triage protocols.
"I have not heard of a single officer going to court for a shoplifting charge — they seem to just get put aside due to the constraints currently on the courts," Hoover informed council members. He revealed that minor theft "far exceeds" any other crime committed in Calgary, with officers responding to thousands of shoplifting calls annually.
Despite the significant policing resources required for these responses—each call typically consumes several hours of officer time—Hoover noted that only a small percentage of minor thefts result in criminal convictions. This pattern has emboldened repeat offenders and damaged trust between small business operators and law enforcement agencies.
Jurisdictional Concerns Among Council Members
While the review received overwhelming support, some councillors expressed reservations about the city potentially overstepping into federal jurisdiction. Councillors Myke Atkinson and DJ Kelly cast the two dissenting votes, reflecting concerns about municipal authority in matters traditionally governed by federal criminal law.
The approved motion now directs city administration to return to council's community development committee later this year with:
- A comprehensive analysis of approaches Calgary can implement to regulate theft under $100
- Detailed investigation of how other cities across Canada have addressed similar shoplifting problems
- Jurisdictional considerations regarding municipal authority in theft enforcement
- Potential alternatives to current Criminal Code enforcement mechanisms
The council's decision reflects growing frustration with what many perceive as inadequate enforcement mechanisms for retail theft, particularly as small businesses continue to bear the brunt of these offenses. The jurisdictional scan represents an attempt to develop more effective tools for holding shoplifters accountable while navigating the complex relationship between municipal and federal enforcement authorities.
