September 18, 2025
RED FM News Desk
The Alberta government has decided not to renew its ban on the controversial police practice known as “carding,” which involves officers stopping individuals without cause and requesting identification.
The regulation enforcing the ban was set to expire this past summer. In a recent letter to the Edmonton Police Commission, the government confirmed it would not be extending the rule.
Carding has long faced criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue the practice often amounts to racial profiling. Data from across Canada has consistently shown that people of colour are disproportionately targeted in such stops compared to white individuals.
The formal ban was introduced in Alberta in 2021, along with stricter rules around when and how police officers can ask for ID. At the time, the justice minister said the measures were aimed at protecting the rights of Albertans.
Now, the province says that existing systems—such as complaint processes and police oversight bodies—are sufficient for individuals who feel they’ve been mistreated by law enforcement.
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