The Town of Bonnyville officials say they were less than pleased to learn that retroactive costs associated with the latest RCMP collective bargaining agreement will have to be footed locally.
In a press release, The Town of Bonnyville calls this decision disappointing.
“This decision is an example of a federal commitment that deeply impacts municipalities, without municipal representation being involved. Municipal governments are paying a growing share of policing costs, but they cannot run deficits and have limited revenue tools.”
The choice was made after months of municipal advocacy led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), provincial-territorial associations and local leaders across Canada. The federal government confirmed that communities across Canada that are dependent on RCMP services for local policing, including the Town of Bonnyville, are expected to cover these costs.
The cost to the Town of Bonnyville associated with the retroactive payments is $355,763.00. In the same press release, the Town of Bonnyville says they were not at the table for these negotiations.
The press release says municipalities need to be actively involved in any future processes regarding contract policing, calling this recent decision unacceptable