Province investing over $77 million to help with policing costs

[Michael Jack]

Money earmarked to help policing costs in Wellington County, Perth East and North Perth; no monies budgeted to help pay for Stratford Police in Stratford, St. Marys or Perth South

Over $77 million dollars is coming to small and rural municipalities thanks to the Ontario government providing funds to offset the increased cost of policing. This financial relief is for communities serviced by the Ontario Provincial Police.

“This investment will help predominantly small and rural communities address the budget impacts, resulting from the collective bargaining agreement that was reached between the province and the Ontario Provincial Police Association in July 2024,” said Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae.

“The amount a municipality must pay for OPP policing services is calculated based on the billing model set out in O. Reg 413/23 under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019,” said Director of Communications & Issues Management at the Office of the Solicitor General, Chelsea McGee

In total over $4 million will help the Perth-Wellington riding deal with the increases in police costs.

“Wellington County will receive over $3 million, Perth East will get over $254 thousand, North Perth will receive over $496 thousand, and West Perth will receive over $287 thousand,” said Rae.

Stratford, St. Marys and Perth South will not be getting any provincial relief, as all three are serviced by the Stratford Police Service and not the OPP.

“The OPP billing model is generally made up of base costs, augmented by calls for service and any other costs specific to the community depending on the specific services required,” said McGee.

It was also announced that the province will also be examining options for reviewing the OPP billing model. The goal of the review is to ensure that it meets the needs of communities across the province.

https://www.stratfordtoday.ca/local-new ... ts-9918202