Dear Police Service Board and OPP Detachment Board members,
I hope this message finds you well. Last week we communicated with The Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario, regarding the recent announcement of $77 million in funding for municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.).
While we acknowledge and appreciate the Province’s investments in supporting OPP Policed Municipalities, this funding announcement has raised several concerns from small and mid-sized Municipal Police Service Boards. Specifically, there is a worry that this funding may unintentionally exacerbate existing challenges related to budget planning and the demands of providing adequate and effective policing services under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA).
In our letter, we emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context and implications of this funding decision. Here are some key points we addressed:
- The O.P.P. has not received additional funding related to this announcement
- Municipal costs for O.P.P. policed communities are increasing
- The proposed one-time relief funding is intended to offset rising costs tied to police wage increases in the new collective bargaining agreement
We also highlighted the need for modernizing the grant funding process, securing equitable funding for CSPA implementation. Our goal is to ensure that all police services across the province can effectively meet evolving standards and expectations.
We remain committed to advocating for the interests of all our members and working collaboratively with our sector partners and the Province for better outcomes. Your feedback and concerns are invaluable, and we will continue to represent your interests in ongoing discussion with the Ministry.
Thank you for your dedication to providing exemplary police governance. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out.