Local rural leaders pleased by provincial relief for OPP costs

[Michael Jack]

About 330 municipalities to receive $77 million to offset projected increases in OPP costs

SHARBOT LAKE — Municipal leaders are expressing relief and gratitude to the provincial government for averting a looming financial crisis in small communities across Ontario.

The provincial government announced Friday that it would be providing $77 million to help offset cost increases for policing services.

Contracts for policing from the OPP were projected to force small and rural communities to levy double-digit property tax increases.

“We are very thankful that the province recognized that municipalities cannot absorb increases like the ones that came down this year in OPP costs,” said Mayor Frances Smith of Central Frontenac Township, which was facing a 14 per cent increase in policing costs next year.

As part of the relief package, the provincial government is to provide a 3.75 per cent reduction on 2023 total costs, a 44 per cent reduction on 2023 overtime costs and a 10 per cent reduction on 2025 invoiced policing costs.

The provincial government is to continue paying $125 million toward court security and prisoner transport.

“The financial relief we are proposing will help municipal leaders balance their budgets and invest in their communities while ensuring no change to the policing provided by the OPP that keeps families and businesses safe,” Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said in announcing the provincial contributions.

The cost increases were the result of a new four-year contract signed between the provincial government and the Ontario Provincial Police Association in July that included a total of 14.75 per cent in pay increases over the life of the contract.

While happy about the provincial government’s assistance with next year’s policing costs, Smith said policing should be considered a provincial service and responsibility for funding it should be a provincial role.

“I just wish they would come to the reality that this is a provincial program that needs to be taken back to the province and off the property tax bill,” she said.

“If they can take back the Gardener Expressway then they can take back OPP or maybe the downloaded roads in Frontenac County.”

https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-rura ... -opp-costs

[Michael Jack]

You might just hear a sigh of relief from small and rural communities around the area.

The province has announced over $77 million in financial relief to help municipalities offset the increased cost of policing provided by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

This after a new collective agreement was reached in July.

Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP, says he’s spoken with the mayors of Mattawa, Powassan, Callander, East Ferris, Chisholm and others, who are welcoming the funding.

It’s also welcome news to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA).

“In the context of inflation, infrastructure pressures, and a growing homelessness crisis, rural municipalities simply cannot afford a 20% increase in OPP costs,” says Christa Lowry, ROMA chair and Mayor of Mississippi Mills. “This provincial investment acknowledges the escalating fiscal challenges municipalities face. We look forward to ongoing partnership to put rural municipalities on a sustainable path.”

Along with a 10 per cent cut in 2025 policing costs, it includes a 3.75 per cent bill reduction on 2023 costs and a 44 per cent bill reduction on 2023 overtime costs.

The province will also be going over options for reviewing the OPP billing model too.

The post MPP says area communities welcoming funding for policing costs appeared first on My North Bay Now.

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