There is a push to have the province reassume policing costs in small, rural areas.
The request from the Municipality of Tweed would not impact those on contracts such as Fort Frances.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas says the government still needs to take action with soaring costs.
“I believe the amount that we’re paying for our policing, and I realize that this is under a different situation, is very high,” says Hallikas.
“It’s not sustainable. And even though it’s slightly different, I agree with the intent of Councillor Mackey that the government has to help small communities with some of these downloaded costs.”
Councillor Steve Maki says while the proposal would not help Fort Frances immediately, it could in the future.
“If all of these municipalities gain some leeway with the government and get their policing costs covered, even though ours isn’t, eventually we could then put our hand up and say, hey, look folks, film at 11. You’re paying for them. You’re discriminating against us. Maybe we should get it free as well,” says Maki
As of April 1st, OPP began billing over 180 communities that previously did not pay for policing.
Town council is expected to vote on a more formal resolution at a future meeting.
