City police could be out more than $2M

Province could cancel grants altogether in ‘worse case scenario’

Peterborough Police could find itself short by somewhat less than $500,000 this year and $1.6 million next year if the provincial government decided not to offer promised operating grants after all, the police services board heard on Tuesday evening.

Police finance manager Tia Nguyen said those were estimates.

She also said that’s the “worstcase scenario” (in other words, if the provincial government were to cancel the grants altogether, rather than reduce them - and no one knew on Tuesday what the government will decide).

Still, Police Chief Scott Gilbert said he’s concerned about the lack of “clarity” from the procincial government in this matter of funding.

“We’re still waiting for answers,” he said. “It could be very dicey for us, to say the least, if those grants don’t come through as promised.”

The provincial government announced recently that operational grants for police forces are frozen while it conducts a lineby-line review of its expenses.

But police services board chairman Bob Hall said he hasn’t received any letter stating that they aren’t getting a grant – they’ve only heard a generalized announcement that the government is looking at its financial books and not offering grants for now.

Hall told the board on Tuesday he’s recently spoken with MPP Dave Smith about it, and that Smith promised there would be more information coming shortly.

In an interview Monday, Smith told The Examiner that the government would be releasing its economic statement on Nov. 15 and that it would contain updated information on police funding.

Hall heard the same thing from Smith, and on Tuesday he said perhaps the police board should wait and see.

It could be very dicey for us, to say the least.”

SCOTT GILBERT

Police Chief

“The MPP suggested everybody just take a breath,” Hall said.

Police board member Mark Graham said at the meeting he’s concerned the police will end up having to scramble to cover costs that really aren’t theirs to pay, if the government doesn’t come through with grants.

But board member Ken East said it’s “not unusual” when there’s a change of government for there to be changes in government grants.

It was a last board meeting on Tuesday for member Dan McWilliams, who didn’t run for re-election on city council Oct. 22 (he was the city councillor on the board).

McWilliams said that while he’s often been “hard-nosed” as a police board member, he actually has “a soft spot” for officers”.

Meanwhile it could be Hall’s last meeting too; as the citizens’ appointee he was placed on the board by city council, and the newly-elected council may or may not renew his term.

East thanked Hall for his work during a tumultuous period that involved much turnover on the board, which made for for “adventurous times”.

“I say with great sincerity that it is much less adventurous now than it used to be – and that’s a very, very good thing. That’s in no small measure because of your leadership, Bob,” East said.

Daryl Bennett was on the board as mayor, but was defeated in the Oct. 22 municipal election by mayor-elect Diane Therrien (who was at the meeting as an observer on Tuesday, along with city CAO Sandra Clancy).

Bennett was not at the meeting on Tuesday.

The police service board next meets Dec. 4.