The Ontario government has announced $77 million in relief funding for rural municipalities feeling the pinch with escalating policing costs.
Solicitor general Michael Kerzner said the investment will help smaller communities address shortfalls in its Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) budget. Costs are up across the board, Kerzner noted in a Nov. 29 release, due to a new contract signed by the province and the Ontario Provincial Police Association in July.
“Our government is working closely with municipal partners and our women and men in uniform to keep communities across Ontario safe,” Kerzner said. “The financial relief [proposed] will help municipal leaders balance their budgets and invest in their communities while ensuring no change to the policing provided by the OPP that keeps families and businesses safe.”
The plan includes a 3.75 per cent bill reduction on 2023 total reconciled costs, a 44 per cent reduction on 2023 reconciled overtime costs, and a 10 per cent reduction on amounts invoiced for 2025 policing costs.
In addition to these changes, the provincial government is continuing its annual $125 million court security and prisoner transportation transfer payment program for 2025.
It’s welcome news for townships in the County – in October, Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen expressed concern after learning police costs in the municipality were increasing $210,000 next year – a 21 per cent jump. At that meeting, treasurer, Jean Hughes, said rates were up between 16 and 30 per cent across Ontario.
The OPP provides municipal policing services to 330 municipalities across Ontario.
