Whereas the current RCMP policing model sees BC municipalities over 5,000 in population pay the full provincial cost share either 70 percent or 90 percent depending on the size, while unincorporated areas, and municipalities under 5,000 in population pay the provincial police tax rate, which covers up to 50 percent of the estimated cost of policing; And whereas due to this system there is an inequity perceived by municipalities and their taxpayers due to the Province subsidizing policing costs for some taxpayers and not others: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to review the current model of funding RCMP police services, with the intent to make police services more affordable for contract partners, including local governments.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Government is aware of and addressing concerns from municipalities with respect to the significant cost difference for residents moving from the Police Tax to full municipal responsibility for policing costs. For municipalities which emerged above 5,000 population as a result of the 2016 Canada Census, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General assisted by agreeing to phase-in resources for their respective new RCMP Municipal Police Units. This resulted in a cost-savings to the municipalities over a two-year period. We are pleased to share that this policy will remain in effect for any emerging municipalities resultant from the 2021 Census. The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Policing and Security Branch has also added improvements to internal processes to better assist potential emerging municipalities, including earlier engagement with municipal staff and increased engagement to provide information to interested municipalities. Funding of police services, including the Police Tax, will be further examined through the Policing and Public Safety Modernization project that is currently underway in the Policing and Security Branch. Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of policing and public safety is a key pillar of the project, which will work towards achieving equitable service delivery and funding models that support adequate and effective policing, enhance services, and enable resiliency. Extensive consultation with interests, including municipalities through UBCM, will be essential when contemplating any policy or legislative change in relation to the project, such as the Police Tax. On December 9, 2020, the Legislative Assembly reappointed a Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act with renewed membership. The scope of the committee is to examine, inquire into and make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly on reforms related to the modernization and sustainability of policing under the Police Act, including funding; the role of police with respect to complex social issues, including mental health and wellness, addictions and harm reduction; the scope of systemic racism within BCs police agencies; and whether there are measures necessary to ensure a modernized Police Act is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Policing and Security Branch has also prioritized the policing and public safety modernization effort. The Provinces vision for police modernization is to create an equitable, efficient and accountable policing and public safety model that meets the needs of all British Columbians through exploring the four themes of Effectiveness and Efficiency of Policing; Roles and Responsibilities; Public Trust; and Systemic Racism and Reconciliation.