North Vancouver opposes downloaded crime lab costs
Several municipalities have cried foul over funding shift
The City of North Vancouver is the latest B.C. municipality to push back against the downloading of DNA lab work costs for criminal investigations.
North Vancouver’s motion followed complaints about the change sent to B.C. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Vancouver police Chief Adam Palmer, objecting to the “unilateral decision” to pass on the costs without consulting cities.
“This is a cost that was covered by the provincial and federal governments in the past as part of the contract of policing,” Mayor Darrell Mussatto said, noting his city was notified of the change just two weeks ago.
Last month, North Vancouver city council unanimously passed a motion asking that the provincial justice minister and federal minister of public safety review the decision.
The RCMP forensic sciences and identification services lab provides DNA analysis for B.C. police forces under the federally funded National Police Services.
A North Vancouver city staff report, citing information provided by the Union of B.C. Municipalities, said that since 2004 provinces and territories contributed to the cost of the DNA service, with B.C. paying $1.37 million. However, in 2013 the federal government said the historical “flat rate” contribution would be replaced by a reimbursement model based on actual costs. A new agreement was negotiated, with the federal government contributing 46 per cent of the DNA analysis costs, and the provinces and territories paying 54 per cent.
That means B.C.’s tab for 2016-17 will be about $4.9 million, with the province willing to pay only its historical contribution of $1.37 million. The $3.54-million shortfall will be paid by individual police forces.
According to the new agreement, Mussatto said the plan will cost North Vancouver city residents $26,000 in 201617. Vancouver will pay $673,000, Surrey $410,000, Victoria $144,000 and Richmond $115,000.
Last month, Robertson and Palmer — noting that several other provinces pay for the DNA analysis — said police would have to cut back on investigative tools or cut policing elsewhere if the province doesn’t reverse its plans to download the costs.
“This downloading of costs by the province of B.C. is a major public-safety issue, and puts other police service levels at risk on our streets,” Robertson said in urging Anton to reverse the decision.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Anton blamed the previous federal government for not providing the same level of funding as it did before.
“British Columbia has not changed its funding. This is an increase that was imposed on B.C. and other provinces by the federal government, which is now requiring municipalities and the province to pay more for DNA services, or lose the service altogether.
“Unfortunately, this means the costs fall to both levels of government and we recognize the burden this federal decision places on municipalities. That is why B.C. is making a significant financial contribution to help them move to the new funding model.”
She said municipalities have been aware of the changes for over a year and that they should raise the issue directly with the federal government.