policing

Continued concern about the cost of OPP policing.

Municipalities with contracts are being told that next year’s increase will be no higher than eleven percent.

“This is a time-limited measure for the 2027 OPP billing cycle, intended to provide municipalities with cost certainty to support local budget planning,” writes Solicitor General Michael Kerzner in a letter to municipalities.

Atikokan Mayor Rob Ferguson says the letter from the Minister has ‘nice words.’

“We appreciate the OPP and the policing that they do, but 11%?, says Ferguson.

“I think it was 11% last year as well, 11 % again this year. It ends up to be quite a bit over time.”

Many municipalities in northwestern Ontario have long expressed concern with the cost of policing in contracts signed with the OPP.

Ferguson says there are efforts taking place to get costs down.

“I know there is some action put forward through other municipalities to try to keep costs down on OPP, and we will be participating in those requests with other municipalities as requested to do so,” he notes.

Kerzner also acknowledges the concerns.

“We also recognize the importance of ensuring policing costs are sustainable and predictable for municipalities, and we will continue working with our municipal partners on these shared priorities, he writes.

Billing statements are expected to be delivered to municipalities later this fall.