UBCM is currently engaged on a variety of issues that impact RCMP policing and municipal police agencies in B.C.
Current Issues
View recent articles published in The Compass about policing.
The Police Act provides the framework for the delivery of police services in B.C., including responsibilities assigned to the Province and local governments. In 2020, the Province announced its intention to review this legislation, subsequently creating the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCRPA). The SCRPA's final report was released in April 2022, and included 11 recommendations to modernize policing and public safety in B.C. UBCM provided input through a 2021 submission that included 17 recommendations addressing support for support for law enforcement; public trust and accountability; responsibility and resourcing for services; efficiency and effectiveness; coordination and communication; and, ongoing engagement.
Following the release of the SCRPA final report, the Province developed a three phase review process. The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General also established the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable (LGPMR), which is a mechanism for local governments to provide input throughout the Police Act and public safety review. It also functions as a forum for local government priorities and concerns to be raised as part of broader work to research policing issues, explore options and advise on courses of action. The LGPMR is co-chaired by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG) and UBCM.
In April 2024, as part of phase one of this process, the Province introduced the Police Amendment Act. The second phase of work began in late 2023, and included policy-focused discussions pertaining to priorities held by a variety of stakeholders. This phase of work has now concluded. The LGPMR is currently awaiting information from the new Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General regarding next steps in this process. All LGPMR discussions are covered under a confidentiality agreement.
Articles
Police Act Review: Phase Two Concluded (Sept. 2025)
Appointments Open for Policing Modernization Roundtable (May 2024)
Province Introduces Police Act Amendments (Apr. 2024)
Appointments to Policing Modernization Roundtable (Mar. 2023)
UBCM Submission on Public Safety Reform (Sept. 2022)
Legislative Committee Delivers Policing Recommendations (May 2022)
Appointments to Policing Modernization Roundtable (Nov. 2021)
Police Act Special Committee Seeks Input (Mar. 2021)
UBCM Police Act Submission (Feb. 2021)Documents
Preliminary Local Government Input into Public Safety Modernization (Aug. 2022)
Effectively Examining BC's Police Act (UBCM Submission) (Jan. 2021)
UBCM Presentation to SCRPA (Jan. 2021)
Correspondence
UBCM to Minister Nina Krieger re PPSM Initiative (Dec. 2025)
UBCM to SCRPA re Follow-Up Questions (Mar. 2021)
Minister Mike Farnworth to UBCM re Police Act Review (June 2020)
UBCM to Minister Mike Farnworth re Police Act Review (June 2020)
One of the primary themes from the 2022-24 federal assessment of RCMP contract policing was the uncertainty regarding Canada’s future mandate for contract policing beyond 2032, and whether it would seek to negotiate new Police Services Agreements (PSAs). A measure of certainty was achieved when, following the assessment, the federal government delivered correspondence, committing “to work with provinces and territories on our approach to the renegotiations of the agreements.” However, a March 2025 white paper by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which recommended that the federal government end its contract policing program, combined with the subsequent federal election, re-introduced uncertainty.
In October, as part of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety, the federal Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, “expressed a commitment to negotiate with interested jurisdictions on contract policing beyond 2032.” One week later, the Minister of Public Safety re-iterated this position to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.
While it appears that the federal government will seek new PSAs with interested contract partners, the role of local governments, as part of any negotiations, remains unclear. In September, UBCM, along with all Western Canadian local government associations, delivered a letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety, requesting direct involvement in any upcoming PSA negotiations. One week later, at UBCM’s Annual Convention, members endorsed a special resolution calling on the Province and federal government to directly involve UBCM and B.C. local governments as part of PSA negotiations; and, that local government priorities be considered as part of this process.
As the federal government ponders next steps in the process to negotiate new PSAs, the Province of B.C. is still considering recommendations made by the all-party Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, including whether to implement a new provincial police service to replace the RCMP. UBCM continues to oppose this option, citing a lack of evidence to support such a significant change.
Articles
Update on the Future of RCMP Contract Policing (Jan. 2026)
Canada Releases Summary of Contract Policing Assessment (June 2024)
Assessment of RCMP Contract Policing (July 2023)
Input into RCMP Policing Assessment (Mar. 2023)Documents
A New Policing Vision for Canada: Modernizing the RCMP (Mar. 2025)
Contract Policing Assessment: What We Heard (Government of Canada) (May 2024)Correspondence
Western Canadian Municipal Associations to Prime Minister re Future of RCMP Contract Policing (Sept. 2025)In April 2024, an independent arbitrator awarded RCMP Members below the rank of Inspector and Reservists a 4% salary increase per year for two years, as well as a one-time allowance of $2,500 related to the performance of regular duties. RCMP Commissioned Officers (rank of Inspector and above) subsequently received a salary increase from the federal government that was structured similarly to the compensation framework awarded to unionized Members. The second RCMP collective agreement expired on April 1, 2025.
Based on the timelines outlined in the second collective agreement, the National Police Federation (NPF), the union representing affected RCMP members, could submit a notice to bargain as early as December 2024, which it did. Local governments have received, in their multi-year financial plans, a new planning rate (i.e. non-contractual estimate) from the RCMP to assist in planning for the impacts associated with collective bargaining. However, negotiated salary increases or those imposed through third party arbitration could result in increases below or above the planning rate. If B.C. local governments wish to build contingencies that are higher than those included in their multi-year financial plans into their financial planning processes to mitigate potential fluctuations in negotiated rates or the possibility of arbitration, they are encouraged to do so.
UBCM's President has written to the federal government twice (see correspondence below), requesting a meeting with the Treasury Board of Canada Chief Negotiator, to discuss the third round of collective bargaining and B.C. local government priorities and concerns. The federal government has not provided a formal response to either letter, although it has indicated, via email, that discussions are only to take place at the national Contract Management Committee table and under the direction of Public Safety Canada.Correspondence
UBCM to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat re Collective Bargaining and Engagement (Oct. 2025)
UBCM to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat re Third Round of Collective Bargaining (Dec. 2024)
UBCM to Mayors, Chairs & CAOs of RCMP-Policed Communities re Opportunity to Discuss Collective Agreement (Apr. 2022)
UBCM to Public Safety Canada & RCMP re Billing & Collection of Retroactive Payments (Mar. 2022)
UBCM to Minister Marco Mendicino re RCMP Collective Agreement (Nov. 2021)
UBCM to Minister Ralph Goodale re RCMP Collective Bargaining (Nov. 2018)
Public Safety Canada to UBCM re Bill C-7 (Jan 2018)
UBCM to Public Safety Canada re Bill C-7 (Oct. 2017)
UBCM to BC Senators re Bill C-7 (Oct. 2017)
Treasury Board of Canada to UBCM re Bill C-7 (Sept. 2017)
UBCM to Ministers Goodale & Brison re Concerns with Bill C-7 (Apr. 2017)
Articles
Salary Increases for RCMP Commissioned Officers (Sept. 2024)
Second RCMP Collective Agreement Ratified (Sept. 2024)
Arbitrator's Decision Sets RCMP Pay (Apr. 2024)
Canada and RCMP Union Proceeding to Arbitration (Mar. 2024)
RCMP Retroactive Costs for Small Communities (Aug. 2023)
Collective Bargaining for Second RCMP Collective Agreement (June 2023)
Extension Granted for RCMP Retroactive Cost Payment (Apr. 2023)
Local Governments to Pay RCMP Retroactive Costs (Apr. 2023)
Update on RCMP Collective Agreement (Mar. 2023)
Update on RCMP Retroactive Costs (Aug. 2022)
Collective Agreement Concerns Conveyed (May. 2022)
Salary Increases for RCMP Commissioned Officers (Apr. 2022)
Public Safety Canada, RCMP to Discuss Collective Agreement (Apr. 2022)
FAQ on RCMP Retroactive Costs (Apr. 2022)
Update on RCMP Collective Agreement (Feb. 2022)
UBCM Seeks Federal Action on Policing Costs (Nov. 2021)
RCMP Members Ratify Collective Agreement (Aug. 2021)
RCMP Union Agrees to Tentative Deal (June 2021)
Anticipating RCMP Unionization Costs (Jan. 2021)
RCMP Unionization Update (June 2020)
RCMP Elect Bargaining Agent (July 2019)
Documents
Public Safety Canada - Second RCMP Collective Agreement (July 2024)
Public Safety Canada - RCMP Collective Agreement FAQ (Apr. 2022)Street disorder and repeat/prolific offenders are long-standing community safety issues, impacting residents, businesses and local government services. UBCM's members have sought a variety of provincial and federal responses to address these issues, ranging from stricter enforcement measures to non-police responses (e.g., addressing root causes and factors such as healthcare, addictions, and housing).
As part of work on the Police Act review, and in response to the final report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, UBCM has sought for the Province to create and fund a continuum of response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues that includes increased coordination across police, health, mental health and social services sectors. This corresponds with a recommendation made by the Special Committee in 2022.
In 2025, UBCM hosted a Convention session regarding the rise of street disorder in B.C. communities, and its impact on local governments. The session included four local elected leaders, representing four regions (Vancouver, Dawson Creek, Nanaimo and Nelson), as well as speakers representing the Province, Crown Counsel Association, business community and service providers.
UBCM has also advocated for bail reform amendments to the Criminal Code. Notably, a 2023 letter signed by UBCM advocates for the federal government to address the ‘principle of restraint,’ which requires consideration towards releasing the accused at the earliest opportunity and on the least onerous conditions. In October, the federal government announced its intent to introduce the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which includes more than 80 changes to the Criminal Code’s bail and sentencing framework.Articles
Province Indicates Decline in Repeat Offender Interactions (Jan. 2026)
UBCM Analysis of Canada's Bail Reform Legislation (Nov. 2025)
Repeat Offending Report Requires New Funding (Oct. 2022)Correspondence
Western Canadian Municipal Associations to Prime Minister re Public Safety (Sept. 2025)
Western Canadian Municipal Associations to Ministers of Justice and Public Safety re Bail Reform (March 2023)In June 2020, the Prime Minister and RCMP Commissioner offered their support to equipping officers with body worn cameras (BWC), with the intent to increase transparency, accountability and trust in police. While the federal government originally committed $238.5 million towards funding this initiative for the first three years following implementation, it eventually revised its position and only offered funding until April 2024 regardless of when implementation occurred. As a result, B.C. local governments were required to assume full financial responsibility for BWC at the applicable cost-share rate upon implementation in their communities.
On November 23, 2024, E Division began implementation of BWCs in B.C. with a small group of five priority (‘Wave Zero’) sites. These ‘Wave Zero’ sites received approximately 300 cameras as part of the initial phase of deployment. Additional implementation phases have occurred in various regions. Approximately 3,500-3,700 BWC will be rolled out across B.C. as part of the implementation phase, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Local governments will assume financial responsibility for BWC at the applicable cost-share rate once BWCs are implemented in their jurisdictions. The billing methodology sees BWC related costs billed at a per capita rate, to be calculated after each fiscal year. The billing formula captures the main BWC costs: cameras, digital evidence management system, and support. Local governments will not be billed for surplus cameras beyond what is required. The RCMP’s BWC multi-year plan indicates that the cost will remain under the initial $3,000 per FTE estimate for the first three years. However, the federal government has advised that this cost will rise throughout the duration of the six-year contract, and will likely exceed this threshold at some point.
Articles
Phased Implementation of RCMP Body Worn Cameras (Dec. 2024)
RCMP Body Worn Cameras Nearing Implementation (Apr. 2024)
Update on Body Worn Cameras (Dec. 2023)
Update on Federal Decision on BWC Costs (Aug. 2023)Correspondence
UBCM to Minister Marco Mendicino re Implementation of Body Worn Cameras (Dec. 2021)
Additional Policing Resources
- Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee Webpage
- Local Government Policing Communications Portal
(includes presentations and videos from the Policing 101 and MPUA Agreements webinars) - UBCM Policing Factsheet (updated 2022)