Edmonton police commission chair quits, admits working from Portugal would be 'unwelcome distraction'

Edmonton police commission chair John McDougall is stepping down after public controversy over his plan to stay on the oversight body until the end of 2026 from Portugal.

McDougall initially announced last Friday that he'd continue as a commissioner despite retiring to Portugal.

On Tuesday, he said "after much reflection over the past few days," he will resign "effective immediately.

"It is clear that my residency would be an unwelcome distraction from the important work of the commission, which is not fair to the citizens who rely on us to provide governance and oversight of the Edmonton Police Service," he said.

McDougall's statement came after Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said earlier Tuesday that he expected McDougall to resign his position once he officially moves to Portugal.

"John is in Portugal over the holidays while he is setting up his new residence there. He remains a resident of Edmonton. Once he permanently moves later in 2025, the expectation is that he would step down," Ellis said Tuesday morning.

On Friday, McDougall announced his plan to continue in his role after relocating to Portugal.

He said at the time there is no residency requirement for members of Edmonton police commission, and as a longtime resident of Edmonton, "my ties to this community do not simply disappear when I step onto an airplane."

He is one of three Edmonton police commission members appointed by the provincial government. His statement Friday said he "sought approval from the minister's office, and they supported me in this decision."

Ellis was asked about McDougall's plans on Friday.

Initially, Ellis said he wasn't aware the commissioner would be performing his duties from overseas.

In a subsequent statement Friday, he said he knows McDougall is regularly in Edmonton, adding, "I look forward to John's continued leadership on the commission at this time."

McDougall has been on the police commission for seven years, and most recently served as chair. His time in that role was set to expire at the end of 2024.

The police commission is set to hire Edmonton's new police chief next year after Dale McFee announced he would leave the force in February.