Prince George , B. C. – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Shirley Bond, and the Federal Minister of Public Safety, Vic Toews, have signed the new contract agreement for RCMP services in B.C.

 

The 20 year contract includes a 2 year opt out clause, and a   provision for a 5 year review.

 

It also contains the provision to establish a “Contract Management Committee” (CMC) which will include members of local government, so they can have a say on issues over the course of the contract. The big change here, is that in the past there was a “Contract Advisory Committee” but it had no impact on decision making.   The new contract provides for the  CMC to be involved before decisions are made.

 

Although  much of the contract remains  unchanged from the previous arrangement, there are three important new  factors:

 

1. Partnership: to recognize communities are responsible for a portion of the cost ( in Prince George the City is responsible for 90% of the costs of the local RCMP detachment ) so they should have a say in all decisions.  There will be increased communication as well.

2. Accountability: Provides a mechanism to challenge decisions and programs

3. Cost containment: Provides for the Contract Management Committee, and enhanced  reporting and planning that will provide communities with a five year plan from the RCMP so communities can better prepare their budgets.

 

The new contract will  cost, $5.7 million more for the Province of B.C. for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. It will cost ,( in total) $2.35 million more for communities with populations of 15 thousand or more, although the Prince George share of that total is not yet known. Communities with populations under 15 thousand will  be expected to pay their share of the overall increase of $320 thousand dollars.

 

Communities in B.C. do not sign an agreement with the Federal Government directly. Instead, they sign the agreement with B.C. and B.C. signs an agreement with Ottawa. Local governments received the copy of the contract a week ago and have until the end of April to sign on with B.C.

 

Read the full agreements here ( BC  with Federal Government, and B.C. with Local governments)