Prince George, B.C.- The North Central Local  Government Association (NCLGA)  stands behind a  call  for the Province to  reverse a decision that  downloads costs  for  DNA analysis to  municipalities.It is a move some communities  say they may not be able to afford,  and  could have a negative impact on criminal investigations

Under the new  agreement with the Federal Government, the  Province  is to pick up the tab for 46% of the costs  of  DNA analysis.  Local governments in BC were not notified how the Province would fund the majority of its new costs until bills were sent out to communities.

“The Province will cover municipalities with populations under 5 000, but larger cities across BC now have to provide the remaining $2.90 million for 2016/17,” says NCLGA President Brian Frenkel. “There was no consultation with UBCM, or any of the 5 local government associations.”

In a letter to Justice Minister Suzanne Anton, Union of B.C. Municipalities’ President & Chair of the Cariboo Regional District, Al Richmond, questions why BC is the only province to  download these costs, “While all provinces and territories are now faced with the same cost pressures related to DNA analysis services, I am not aware of any other province, other than British Columbia, that is shifting a portion of these costs to local government.”

Prince George, the NCLGA’s largest member, is expected to receive a bill for approximately $51,876.95 for the 2016/17 fiscal year.

Concerns have been raised about the future of crime reduction in municipalities who can no longer afford DNA testing services.  Some  communities are already expressing concern that  DNA collected at  crime scenes will only be “selectively  tested” because of the  costs involved, effectively stripping  investigators of a  useful tool  in achieving  a conviction  for crime.

In the letter to the Minister of Justice, UBCM’s President Al Richmond presses for clarity “it remains  unclear  by what authority the Ministry of Justice has directed the Organized Crime Agency of BC to send bills for DNA analysis services to local governments. Has this decision been authorized through an Order in Council? If so, please indicate the regulation and its effective date.”

Here are the estimated costs for some other communities  in  the  region:

“I understand money is tight everywhere” says NCLGA President Frenkel, ” but this is just a distortion of the system so that the provincial and federal governments can claim they’ve ‘balanced the budget’. “We firmly stand behind UBCM’s position calling on the Province to roll back the decision and open up the floor for discussion. There’s a solution in this that can work for all of us.”