Municipalities welcome Ontario's $77M lifeline to ease OPP cost burden

Several mayors in eastern Ontario say the province's proposed funding to help offset the steep increases in their law enforcement bills couldn't have come at a better time.

Several mayors previously told CBC News they felt blindsided by the increase for Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services, and called on the provincial government for assistance.

Now, the province has announced about $77 million in proposed relief funding to offset the rising costs linked to police wage increases in the four-year contract reached by the province and the Ontario Provincial Police Association this summer.

Officers received raises of 4.75 per cent retroactive to 2023, 4.5 per cent for 2024, and 2.75 per cent for 2025 and 2026.

The deal followed the repeal of Bill 124, which capped public sector wages, including for OPP officers.

Mike Tarnowski, the mayor of Russell township, said its bill from OPP went from $2.3 million in 2023, to roughly $2.8 million in 2024.

"Obviously, there would still be some increase [with the funding], but it's a big difference compared to ... what was thrown at us last minute," said Tarnowski. "So this kind of relief, if it does come through, will be really appreciated."

In a news release Friday, Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General said its proposal would include a 3.75 per cent bill reduction on 2023 costs, a 44 per cent reduction on 2023 overtime costs, and a 10 per cent bill reduction for policing costs invoiced for 2025.

"Pretty much every single municipality served by the OPP is going through the same thing," Tarnowski said. "We're terribly excited to see that the solicitor general is reacting to our concerns."

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said in a statement that the relief would help municipal leaders balance their budgets and invest in their communities, all the while ensuring no change to policing services.

Greater Napanee Mayor Terry Richardson said he's relieved to hear about potential funding after seeing the town's costs with OPP increase by $928,000 dollars over the past year.

"For us, that's roughly about a 6.1 per cent tax increase before we even start looking at our budget with respect to roads and sidewalks and things like that," Richardson said.

"It's going to make our budget year a little easier."

Officers received raises of 4.75 per cent retroactive to 2023, 4.5 per cent for 2024, and 2.75 per cent for 2025 and 2026. The deal followed the repeal of Bill 124, which capped public sector wages, including for OPP officers. (OPP/X)

While details on how the funds will be allocated and when have not yet been released, some mayors are optimistic it will take some of the pressure off residents, who would have had to foot the bill through increased taxes.

"Municipal fiscal sustainability is under pressure across Ontario ... This proposition is an important recognition of this challenge and will help support quality of life for residents," wrote Robin Jones, president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, in a statement.

CBC has reached out to the province for more information on timelines and allocation.

Costs vary significantly under current system 

The province says it will also be "examining options" for reviewing the OPP billing model.

Under the existing system, municipalities pay base costs for routine patrol and proactive policing, as well as reactive calls for service, which can vary significantly in amount.

Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre argues this model has disproportionately impacted urban municipalities.

"When it comes to the Town of Hawkesbury, we are a small urban municipality, and a lot of the cost is based on two principles — the number of properties and call for services," explained Lefebvre.

"The calls of services are very high in an urban municipality versus a rural setting or rural municipality."

He said Hawkesbury alone accounts for $1.9 million of the total $200 million in calls-for-service costs across all municipalities that use the OPP, placing a heavy financial burden on the town.

"This announcement here by the government in reviewing the building model, I think, is very important for us," said Lefebvre.