Alberta aiming to open new forensic DNA laboratory by 2029
Posted May 5, 2026 4:49 pm.
The Government of Alberta says it will be opening a forensic DNA laboratory in Sherwood Park.
Renovations will be taking place at the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) facility, and once they are completed, the facility will open in phases to ensure it meets operational readiness and that testing procedures meet international accreditation standards.
The province says the goal is to have the facility open to begin accepting DNA evidence by 2029 for crimes like break-ins and thefts, before expanding to include more serious crimes like homicides and sexual assaults by 2031.
“The justice system must work fairly, efficiently and transparently to maintain public confidence. By bringing forensic DNA testing here to Alberta, we are helping move investigations and court proceedings forward faster, with stronger, more reliable evidence,” said Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice.
The province says that Alberta sents the most DNA evidence for testing, compared to every other province.
It is believed that the overall cost of DNA testing will drop once the province’s new facility opens. In 2024-25, each DNA test cost around $2,482 to be processed through the federal system, whihc is paid for by municipalities and taxpayers.
Additionally, the province says it will be intending to negotiate a new funding arrangement with the federal government, similar to agreements already in place in Ontario and Quebec, which would ideally allow the facility to run at a net-zero cost to provincial taxpayers by 2031.
The goal is also to decrease wait times on testing, as right now, most DNA evidence collected often wait months to be tested, slowing investigations and delaying court proceedings.
“Alberta will no longer outsource our public safety to Ottawa. This new lab means faster testing and quicker turnaround times. Victims shouldn’t have to wait years for closure while evidence sits on a shelf in another province. We are bringing DNA testing home to Alberta to speed up prosecutions, protect our communities and ensure that justice is served at the speed Albertans expect,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.
Al Murphy, the president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, added, “The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police welcomes this investment in a provincial forensic DNA laboratory. Faster access to DNA results will directly support police investigations, strengthen prosecutions, and help deliver timely answers for victims. This is a meaningful step toward improving public safety and addressing both serious and violent crime across Alberta.”
