TORONTO – The province is stepping in to provide a bit of financial relief to municipalities facing increased costs from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
The Ontario government announced on Friday morning it is proposing to provide over $77 million in relief to municipalities to help offset increased cost of municipal police services provided by the OPP.
The County of Wellington is facing a big increase to the OPP contract in 2025.
A report said changes like pay increases for officers put the bill for the service over $20.3 million which was an increase of 12.8 per cent or $54.87 per property compared to 2024.
The increase was also said to add an overall increase of two per cent to the county’s 2025 tax levy.
The contract was previously projected to come in at just under $18.3 million in 2025.
The province’s proposal would see these kinds of impacts offset, a government release said, with measures including:
- A 3.75 per cent bill reduction on 2023 total reconciled costs
- A 44 per cent bill reduction on 2023 reconciled overtime costs
- A 10 per cent bill reduction on amounts invoiced for 2025 policing costs
The Ontario Provincial Police Association and province ratified a new uniform and civilian collective agreement in July that included general salary increases for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“Our government is working closely with our municipal partners and our women and men in uniform to keep communities across Ontario safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, in the release. “The financial relief we are proposing will help municipal leaders balance their budgets and invest in their communities while ensuring no change to the policing provided by the OPP that keeps families and businesses safe.”
Warden Andy Lennox said in a phone call he's not sure of the impacts to the county's budget yet but was happy to hear this news.
"The biggest impact I would expect is the favourable impact on our draft 2025 budget," Lennox said. "It should be a significant help. I'm looking forward to seeing the more detailed figures from the province."
The OPP provide municipal policing services to 330 municipalities in Ontario.
