The number of outstanding warrants in Alberta has plummeted since the provincial government amended legislation nearly two years ago to end arrests for unpaid traffic fines and minor infractions. According to Alberta Justice, there was a 36 per cent reduction in outstanding warrants in the province in the year between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 — from about 200,000 to 157,000. In contrast, outstanding criminal warrants in Edmonton remained roughly steady, with a total of 7,721 at the end of 2018. 'Horrific harm'Justice advocates say the province should remove police from the equation for warrants on minor criminal matters as well. 'Safe surrender'Edmonton police are developing an alternative way for Edmontonians to address outstanding warrants.

Source: CBC News February 25, 2019 12:56 UTC