Extra Funding for Policing Costs

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.

“This was a huge relief to them that the OPP charges for this year, the increases for the OPP will be completely covered by the province” he says. “For Nipissing alone this is almost $600,000.”

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.