B.C. municipalities worry about police board end-run around city efforts to limit budgets

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins is bracing for what could be yet another divisive skirmish over more money for police, one she knows could end with her township being ordered by the province to come up with another $270,000 in taxpayer money.

“I’m waiting to see what the police-act review comes up with,” said Vancouver Councillor Christine Boyle, who was dismayed by the review that ordered the city to give police the $5.7-million in additional money that the board asked for in 2021. In the meantime, cities are trying to find solutions to all kinds of big social and environmental problems – climate change, homelessness, mental health, addiction, housing – but have limited resources and powers. Cities are regulated completely by their provinces but they also must deal with provincial downloading that creates new sets of difficulties.

Former Nelson mayor Deb Kozak, whose council voted against hiring two more officers in 2015, said she lobbied to have more options than simply hiring officers. But several other municipal politicians said it doesn’t work quite like that. The mayors of Surrey, Victoria, Esquimalt and Nelson, along with police representatives, all said there are long discussions held between city staff and police boards or senior police officers to go over budgets. That’s where trade-offs and agreements on reductions happen.

Oh I'm gonna have a chat with the guy I met a few days ago theJagmeetSingh He wouldn't let me eat. When I went outside I saw Rusty ! This guy needs a new desk. Too much chattering.

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