Equitable Police Funding Model

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 consideration given to equitable funding of police services through a provincial police tax based on the assessed value of improvements for the areas served by the detachments. And be it further resolved that any provincial contribution towards policing be shared equally with all police taxpayers.