The province's $77 million to offset OPP service is a start, not an end, noted Mattawa’s mayor.
Mayor Raymond Bélanger said the rising cost of OPP service “is a detriment to all of our budgets.” He’s speaking of other municipalities, many of which saw a steep rise in policing costs. Mattawa was facing an increase of 21 per cent, a hike the town’s CAO Paul Laperriere called “ludicrous.”
That 21 per cent amounted to just under $114,000, a lot of tax from a town hovering around 2,000 people.
See: ‘Ludicrous,’ Mattawa’s CAO says of OPP service increase
The rate hike inspired Mattawa’s council to sign a motion asking the province to cover all OPP service costs within smaller, rural municipalities. That resolution made the rounds and garnered much support from mayors and councils throughout the province.
About a month later, on November 29, the province announced $77 million for the cause, which would be doled out to municipalities to offset the increases. Mattawa is set to receive $103,000, Mayor Bélanger said.
However, Bélanger expressed concern about “What happens next year?”
The mayor also clarified to BayToday, “We’re satisfied with the OPP service. The motion was in no shape or form about OPP service levels but rather about the cost to provide these services.”
Bélanger added, “It was apparent the Ontario government had overlooked the needs of small rural Ontario.” The mayor estimated funding rural OPP services would cost around $428 million. Bélanger noted, “The Government of Ontario committed $9.1 billion to Toronto alone to assist with operating deficits.”
See: Province proposes $77 million to offset OPP costs
Mayor Bélanger wants more provincial money put into municipal coffers for policing. He emphasized, “We’re pushing for the province to fund all small municipalities under 10,000 people like they used to, pre-Mike Harris days.”
Bélanger added many municipalities continue to advocate for increased funding, including at the level of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
“They are listening to us,” Bélanger said of the province, “But we’re looking for more.”
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
