UBCM and other members of the national RCMP Contract Management Committee (CMC) were informed that the federal government will not cover any portion of the retroactive salary costs owed as part of the RCMP Collective Agreement (2017-2023). Local governments have been instead offered an extended two-year period to make full payment.
Immediately following the March 29, 2023, CMC meeting, Public Safety Canada began delivering correspondence to its contract partners advising of this decision, and the new repayment option. These letters were followed by invoices, which in British Columbia were delivered to the Province and all local governments over 5,000 in population that hold RCMP Municipal Police Unit Agreements. These local governments are facing a total projected cost of approximately $138 - $145 million. Residents in B.C. local governments under 5,000 in population may also be financially impacted by the Police Tax.
Local governments wishing to accept the extended two-year payment schedule have been asked by Public Safety Canada to complete and return the Confirmation of Intent, listed at the bottom of their March 29, 2023 letters, by April 15, 2023. Those that accept the extended two-year payment schedule will have until March 31, 2025, to pay the full amount listed in their invoices. Contract partners seeking further discussion regarding this decision and/or its impacts are encouraged to contact Public Safety Canada.
UBCM spokesperson Councillor Craig Hodge expressed local government concern with the federal decision in interviews with the Vancouver Sun and Global. The UBCM Executive previously called on the federal government to absorb all retroactive costs associated with the 2017-2023 RCMP Collective Agreement.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has also convened a meeting with local government associations to discuss the federal government’s decision, as well as issues related to the current round of collective bargaining. Local government contract partners have emphasized the need for early and ongoing engagement and communication throughout the current bargaining process, including more accurate information on estimated cost impacts and direct communication between the federal government and contract partners.