New Brunswick municipalities cry foul over RCMP back pay bills – New Brunswick | 24CA News
Municipalities in New Brunswick are sounding the alarm over rising RCMP prices all through the province. Back pay from officers with out a contract has compelled some districts to pay payments in extra of $250,000.
The deal was negotiated by the federal authorities and the RCMP union, and is retroactive to April 1, 2017.
The Canadian authorities has instructed municipalities across the nation they’re required to foot the invoice.
In Hampton, N.B., the city was charged over $130,000 in again pay for its officers. According to its mayor, the city has already seen a pointy enhance in prices for the power, doubling from 2008.
Robert Doucet stated that whereas the city is ready to take the monetary hit, municipalities ought to have had a seat on the negotiating desk.
“We had no input or knowledge of it,” Doucet instructed Global News in an interview.
“No one is at the table to negotiate if and how we’re going to pay for it.”
He stated that as a consequence of workforce points, the visibility of the RCMP has hit new lows all through his group. He stated the rising prices of the service have left his city contemplating different choices for policing.
It’s an analogous dialog within the city of Grand-Bay Westfield, which is anticipating a invoice within the six figures for the again pay. RCMP prices are one of many largest payments the city faces in its price range, and the mayor stated the group might have to contemplate elevating taxes or lowering choices, neither of which she desires to do.
“I liken that to, for instance, you going shopping with my wallet, and I’m not there to approve or consult in the entire process,” stated Brittany Merrifield instructed Global News.
“We don’t have a lot of flexibility in the amount of revenue we bring in.”
According to the New Brunswick Union of Municipalities, RCMP prices have been a difficulty for councils throughout the province. Issues across the rising value and visibility have been prime of thoughts.
“If you feel the RCMP is not visible enough in the community, then you start to wonder if the cost is valid and worth it,” stated Andrew Black, the union president.
“Policing, in general, has been a concern around the province. A lot of that revolves around visibility and the impact on their community as well as the response time.”
He stated that his municipality of Tantramar expects to obtain a invoice close to $250,000 for Sackville’s RCMP providers. He stated that whereas his group can afford it, another cities might not have the ability to.
“That’s a concern for municipalities who are struggling with their own budget,” he stated in an interview with Global News.
“Some communities are much much higher — it depends on what they have for a contract.”
Municipalities have two years to pay for the price of the RCMP pay increase. The federal authorities was not obtainable for remark by the point of publication.
— with information from Slav Kornik
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
