Dear Editor,

Re: 91原创 Township disintegration of RCMP agreement with the City of 91原创

As a taxpayer and resident of 91原创 City, I am so confused on the true reasoning why the Township mayor feels 91原创 City is not paying its fair share of the 91原创 RCMP shared detachment, and wishes to disband the agreement without any dialogue on ways to rectify the issue.

Mayor Woodward has been quoted stating that 鈥淲e are investing in public safety and the City of 91原创 is not.鈥�

According to the City of 91原创鈥檚 website, Mayor Pachal has stated that the City has been paying what was agreed upon, based upon the current formula. The document provided a chart from the past five years depicting what was budgeted and paid for. The chart shows that the City has complied with the required 鈥渃ontract strength鈥� and 鈥渇inancial contribution鈥�, whereas the Township statistics show that although they have been assessed a 鈥渃ontract strength鈥� level, they did not pay for all the staff required, due to RCMP staff shortages and leaves.

Was the Township paying their fair share, if they do not get charged for these staff vacancies? How can Mayor Woodward say the City is to blame if the Township isn鈥檛 being charged for the vacancies and the City continues to pay for what is asked?

What also puzzles me is that in the 2024 91原创 City budget, the City wants to hire three more RCMP members. So why now? Were we not paying 鈥渙ur fair share鈥� these past five years, or is there a sudden change in our population and Criminal Code cases that require the increase?

This disintegration will cost all 91原创 taxpayers money.

The City is planning to spend $11 million on property for its own detachment in 2024, $30 million each in the 2026 and 2027 budgets, even without a transition plan being approved by the provincial government. 91原创 City cannot afford to continue to ask its residents for 10 per cent-plus increase every year!

The Township will also be paying more for policing and its administration, which will affect their tax rate as well.

Has anyone seen the financial plan for this transition? From either the Township or City?

In light of severe RCMP member shortages throughout B.C. and Canada, it seems a bit presumptuous to think B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth will approve this request. It would be prudent that both communities come together, modernize the agreement and continue with a shared plan.

What is the truth, and what is rhetoric? If there are RCMP staff shortages, all citizens of 91原创 are going to be affected with longer response times, no matter where you live and what agreements are in place.

Vicki Krell, 91原创 City

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鈥� READ MORE: Township votes to split with City over shared RCMP detachment

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