Province pays up to offset higher policing costs

[Michael Jack]

On November 28, Champlain Township Council unanimously passed a resolution demanding the Ontario Government meet the needs of rural municipalities in the wake of significant increases in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) service costs. An increase of 14.74 per cent, or $188,772, has been determined for Champlain Township.

Multiple municipalities in Eastern Ontario are facing a steep rise in policing costs, resulting in these fees being passed along to regional taxpayers. Champlain Township is looking at roughly a 2.36 per cent tax increase to offset these numbers.

Rural Ontario municipalities face challenges funding upfront investments and ongoing maintenance of their assets, including roads, water, facilities, and other expenses, with financial pain being felt across the province.

On November 29, the Ministry of the Solicitor General responded to collective calls from numerous rural communities across the province through a press release. The Ministry outlined a $77 million investment to aid municipalities dealing with significantly rising OPP costs.

“Without the provincial action, the rise in OPP costs would have significantly impacted small, rural, and northern communities serviced by the OPP. Municipal fiscal sustainability is under pressure across Ontario, and municipalities struggle to balance their budgets,” Association of Municipalities of Ontario President Robin Jones stated.

As part of the announcement, the Ontario Government will offer a 3.75 per cent bill reduction on 2023 reconciled costs, a 44 per cent reduction on 2023 reconciled overtime costs, and a 10 per cent reduction on amounts invoiced for 2025 OPP costs.

Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel was pleased to receive the news just a day after Council agreed on a resolution outlining requests for aid because of rising OPP costs.

“The proposed $77 million investment is a positive step that will certainly provide much-needed relief to small and rural municipalities like ours.”

Mayor Riopel continued, “While I am happy with this announcement, I am eager to see how this funding will be distributed and how it will specifically impact our municipality’s budget. I look forward to learning more and continuing to work with the province to ensure that this support meets the needs of our residents.”

https://thereview.ca/2024/11/29/provinc ... ing-costs/

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