Group calls for federal support for RCMP costs

TRURO, N.S. - The vice president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is pushing for the federal government to offer financial supports to municipalities across the country for the cost of RCMP services.

In a recent news release, federation vice president and Colchester County deputy mayor Geoff Stewart said significant and unbudgeted costs linked to the RCMP bargaining agreement are having significant financial impact on municipalities.

“Maintaining effective police services is a top priority,” said Stewart.

“Yet, municipalities cannot

run deficits and we have limited revenue tools, and the recent bargaining agreement between the federal government and National Police Federation has left municipalities across the country with unexpected costs.

“We need support from the federal government.”

He said municipalities were advised to prepare for an estimated 2.5 per cent per year increase, which turned out to be below the final agreement’s 23.7 per cent increase over six years, with retroactive pay going back to 2017.

Stewart said municipalities were not told about the costs during the bargaining process, despite outcomes having a large impact on finances.