UBCM has delivered correspondence to the federal Minister of Public Safety in support of an FCM request that the federal government absorb all retroactive costs associated with the RCMP collective agreement. The recently ratified agreement fails to consider local government ability to pay and inability to absorb large lump-sum costs.
Other concerns include the lack of adequate communication and consultation with local governments throughout this process. This includes the absence of official notification to contract partners outlining exact costs associated with the settlement. As a result, local governments face considerable uncertainty as they progress through the annual budget process.
In August, RCMP members ratified a six-year (2017-2023) collective agreement that outlines, among other things, new base compensation and retroactive payments due to members below the rank of inspector, and reservists. Retroactive to April 1, 2017, these members will receive an annual base salary increase of 1.75% per year plus an annual market adjustment ranging from 1.5% - 2.5% (to address wage differences between the RCMP and other police agencies). The compounded total increase in RCMP salaries is 23.8%, consistent with a broad review undertaken earlier this year by UBCM.