Whereas systemic social issues outside of a municipalitys mandate, such as poverty, addiction, and mental health challenges, contribute to increased call volumes and demands on police services, creating high police services costs that are further exacerbated by the need to respond to and manage the impacts of these systemic social issues: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urgently appeal to the Province of British Columbia to develop an equitable Police Services funding program for all BC municipalities and regional districts that takes into account the financial capacity and population size of each jurisdiction, as well as the additional demands placed on police services due to systemic social issues outside of a municipalitys mandate.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The rising costs of policing is a complex issue that affects all levels of government. Mental health, substance use, and social disorder challenges have intensified community safety concerns here in BC, and across the country. This has put additional pressure on police, who are often the first responders to an expanding array of social issues. Since the release of the 2022 report from the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, we have taken action to address longstanding challenges in the policing and public safety landscape. This includes extensive engagement with local governments on reforming the police service funding model. Staff in the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General are continuing to assess a range of police funding ideas that were shared during this extensive consultation process focusing on modernization of policing policy. We are committed to incrementally building on the foundational work and engagement already completed to ensure that police services are fair, equitable, and responsive to the needs of municipalities for future work to come. Ministry staff will continue to work with local government and First Nations partners to explore practical ways to make policing and public safety costs more affordable and equitable for everyone, and we are committed to re-establishing the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable upon receiving direction to continue engagement on this issue.