Federation of Canadian Municipalities takes up the torch for assistance on RCMP salaries for cash strapped communities

As November looms on the horizon for City Councils and governments in cities and towns across the nation,  the prospect of salary increases for the members of the RCMP in their communities is a reality that will soon hit home.

And for those Council's from coast to coast to coast across Canada,  the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is joining the calls for a bit of help from senior levels of government. 

The daunting prospect of balancing budgets with the new salary provisions came into focus in August when the Mounties ratified their first contract. 

The deal will see pay increases of 23 percent over six years much of the force, with the first change to the pay rates to arrive in November.

For some perspective on the financial hit to come for municipalities, Constables will see a salary increase of close to $20,500 by next year, with increases also set for higher ranks of the National force which policies many Canadian communities.

The prospect of that salary cash call for municipalities has made for a correspondence from the FCM to senior governments, seeking out some assistance for the municipalities that will need to address the contract's salary details.

Carole Saab from the FCM goes further to explain how the municipal governments are viewing the situation and the need for action from higher levels of government on the issue.

Earlier this year, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities had cautioned their membership of the challenges ahead from increased policing costs.

The topic was touched on briefly during the City of Prince Rupert budget process earlier this year, though the Prince Rupert Council has not discussed the salary increases and any potential impact on the city since the contract details were firmed up between the RCMP and the National Police Federation which represents the members of the force.

Funding for policing varies depending on the size of the community, with Municipalities of more than 15,000 residents required to pay up to 90 percent of the cost of policing. 

With that line of note as to where the financial burden will increase, the City of Prince Rupert probably is hoping that the Upcoming Census data release doesn't show too much in the way of population growth for the moment.

Whether they plan to join the FCM and other municipalities in seeking out some assistance from the provincial and federal governments is a topic that has not, as of yet, been introduced by Mayor Brain and the City council members.

More notes on Council themes can be explored through our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.