Whereas the current RCMP cost-sharing agreement consists of a 70 municipal and 30 federal government cost-share ratio for municipalities with a population of less than 15,000; And whereas municipalities experiencing population growth face a sudden and significant increase in financial responsibility when the population threshold of 15,000 is crossed: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM advocate to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to the Province of BC and to the Government of Canada for the introduction of additional population tiers to the RCMP cost-sharing agreement to ease the financial burden on municipalities transitioning between the current ratios; And be it further resolved that the proposed additional tiers should be designed to create a smoother transition in financial responsibility, considering factors such as municipal population growth rates, fiscal capacity, and the specific needs of communities.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Province is aware of concerns from RCMP-policed municipalities with respect to the significant cost difference for property owners when a municipalitys Census population crosses from between 5,000 and 14,999 to over 15,000 persons, resulting in a change to the cost share ratio between the municipality and the Government of Canada from 70:30 to 90:10. Ministry staff proactively monitor annual population estimates to identify municipalities with potential to approach or cross key population thresholds. In the years prior to a Canada Census, staff engage with municipalities with a potential to cross a threshold. Engagement commences at least two years prior to a Census release to share information and to encourage proactive planning for the eventual impacts should the municipalities cross a key population threshold. RCMP-policed municipalities with over 5,000 population receive policing through their respective Municipal Police Unit Agreement MPUA, which specifies which costs are eligible for the cost-share and the relevant cost-share ratio. MPUAs are one of the three standardized Police Service Agreements that enable Canada to provide policing services within the province, by the RCMP. These agreements include the Provincial Police Service Agreement, Municipal Police Service Agreement and the MPUA and are in effect from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2032. The cost-share arrangements outlined in the Police Service Agreements may only be reviewed as part of the Five Year Review process per the Provincial Police Service Agreement, Article 22.5e. The Province consults with local governments, through UBCM, to bring forward substantive issues to the national Contract Management Committee for consideration before each Five Year Review, similar to the last Review in 2021. The report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act recommended creating a fair and equitable shared funding model for municipalities. The report recommends reviewing the funding model, considering local needs, health and social supports, and geography of the service delivery area. This review will explore options to phase in or incrementally increase the municipal share of police costs. Beginning in May 2022, the Public Safety Transformation Team within the Policing and Security Branch and UBCM have been co-chairing the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable LGPMR. The team also has established tables with Indigenous Peoples, police leaders, and other key partners. These groups analyze and discuss the report recommendations that impact local governments, Indigenous Peoples, police, and others. The team will continue to meet regularly with the LGPMR, will undertake broader engagement to address the Special Committees recommendations, and will co-develop new policing and oversight legislation with local governments and Indigenous Partners. To support this work, the team is providing grants to community-based and advocacy organizations for community-led engagement and capacity funding for Indigenous partners.