John McDougall, chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, has permanently relocated more than 4,600 miles away from the city whose police force he oversees.

In a Zoom interview from Portugal, he told the Edmonton Journal that he could decide to stay on until the end of his term in December 2026.

He said remote work was “not unusual” following the pandemic and there was not a big “geographical difference” between Alberta and Portugal, which have a seven-hour time difference.

Edmonton, famous for its cold winters, is the most northerly city in North America to have more than a million residents.

While Edmonton has an average January temperature of -10.3°C, Portuguese capital Lisbon enjoys a balmy 11.5°C.

Mr McDougall said he did not notify the Edmonton Police Commission nor the city council of his move as he is “entitled to a private life”.