In late October, the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee (LGCMC) met with provincial government and BC RCMP representatives to discuss issues related to the Municipal Police Unit Agreements (MPUAs), and policing more broadly in British Columbia. Issues discussed at the meeting are summarized in this article.
UBCM Convention: Meetings with Local Governments
During the 2025 Annual Convention, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General attended 22 meetings, the Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services met with five local governments, and provincial staff held additional meetings. Issues raised frequently by UBCM’s members included: RCMP resourcing, vacancies and overtime costs, the rising cost of policing, policing cost models, BC Highway Patrol, repeat offenders and the negotiation of the Police Service Agreements. The Province is developing follow-up letters to UBCM members that participated in these meetings.
The BC RCMP also held several meetings with local governments. As part of their follow-up activities, the BC RCMP and Province will discuss issues raised by local governments.
Collective Bargaining Update
The BC RCMP provided an update on RCMP collective bargaining, advising that the Federal Treasury Board Secretariat and National Police Federation held several meetings during the year, with their next bargaining session scheduled for January 2026. Committee members discussed potential financial impacts, and previous messaging advising local governments of the option to set aside funds in excess of the planning rate that was provided. The BC RCMP agreed to send a letter to local governments, reminding them to plan for potential financial impacts associated with collective bargaining. ** This letter was sent to MPUA contract holders on November 19, 2025.
Implementation of Body Worn Cameras
The BC RCMP delivered a demonstration on how Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) are used as part of day-to-day operations. Following this demonstration, a verbal update was provided, noting that there is an expectation that more than 2,000 BWCs will be rolled out by the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year. The remaining BWCs will be deployed in 2026/27. To address workload challenges, the BC RCMP has begun piloting artificial intelligence software. While this pilot project does not include a cost to contract partners, if the artificial intelligence software is implemented on a permanent basis, there will be a financial impact. The BC RCMP is also working with the BC Prosecution Service to address disclosure requirements.
Future of RCMP Contract Policing
Provincial representatives advised that the Province requested a clear commitment from the federal government on the future of RCMP contract policing at multiple federal/provincial/territorial (FPT) tables, and during bilateral meetings. During an FPT Public Safety Ministers meeting in October, the federal Minister expressed his commitment to negotiate with interested jurisdictions on contract policing beyond 2032.
The BC RCMP also noted that their senior management team is engaged in discussions regarding the future of RCMP contract policing, and would welcome feedback from contract partners regarding any issue related to the Police Service Agreements.
The LGCMC co-chair emphasized the importance of local governments being involved in discussions regarding the future of RCMP contract policing. In 2025, UBCM members endorsed a special resolution requesting that UBCM and BC local governments be involved in this process.
RCMP Drone Program Demonstration
BC RCMP representatives provided a demonstration of E Division’s Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program. These drones are being used for a range of activities, including search and rescue, mapping, radio connectivity and as cameras. It was noted that decisions regarding how associated costs will be shared among contract partners will not be made until the program has more maturity, and the range of capabilities are better known. BC local governments that are interested in the RPAS program should speak with their Detachment Commander.
RCMP Recruitment and Vacancies
BC RCMP representatives advised that in fiscal year 2025/26, Depot Division has a troop gate of 44 troops, with 32 cadets per troop. As of September 2025, there are 7,847 applicants in the queue.
The RCMP is proposing a change to its recruitment model, from a first come, first served model to a demand-based model that would focus on areas of need, such remote locations. There is optimism that this type of model could increase retention, as those that want to serve in rural and remote areas would fill those vacancies first. However, it is unclear what impact the federal government’s commitment to hire 1,000 new RCMP personnel, to be allocated to federal policing, may have on this proposed model.
Another focus has been to manage those on long-term sick leave. The RCMP has recently processed 232 Members, representing approximately 40% of those on long-term sick leave. The soft vacancy rate in British Columbia is currently 9%. This work is ongoing and remains a priority.
Major Events and Operational Initiatives – Impacts on Local Governments
The BC RCMP provided an update on several major events and operational issues, including the G7 Conference in Alberta, resource commitments towards the Invictus Games, and the 2025 wildfire season. Notably, there were no large-scale deployments during the 2025 wildfire season, with all fires managed at the district and detachment level.
2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup
Provincial representatives provided an update on security for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. It is the Province’s view that an event of this scale and magnitude would warrant consideration of being designated a ‘Major Event’ under Article 9 of the Police Service Agreement, which would mean the RCMP would act as the lead agency. However, in this instance, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is the police of jurisdiction and the federal government has not designated the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup a ‘Major Event.’ The Province is engaged with the federal government regarding this issue. Impacts on contract partners, including local governments, are being monitored and further updates will be provided.
The RCMP will provide support to the VPD, and will continue to police impacted areas outside the City of Vancouver where they are the police of jurisdiction. RCMP representatives also noted that any local governments that seek to host ‘watch parties’ or similar types of events will be required to provide security for those events, especially given the RCMP’s resourcing limitations during the World Cup.
RCMP Budget Reduction & Local Government Consultation
BC RCMP representatives provided a brief update on the financial impact associated with the federal budget. While many federal departments and agencies have been given a budget cut target of up to 15%, the RCMP has only been asked to cut 2%. It is anticipated that cuts will predominantly impact administrative areas.
Local governments seeking to discuss any of these issues with UBCM, the Province or BC RCMP are asked to contact Bhar Sihota, UBCM Senior Policy Analyst.