Ottawa police warn 2022 budget freeze would result in 140 job cuts
The Ottawa Police Service warns a budget freeze for 2022 would result in the elimination of 140 officers, longer response times and the suspension of all recruiting, hiring and promotions.
A report for Monday’s Ottawa Police Services Board meeting looks at three options for the 2022 Operating Budget for the Ottawa Police Service: a zero per cent increase in funding, a 1.5 per cent increase in funding and a three per cent increase.
When the Ottawa Police Services Board approved the 2021 budget, a motion was passed asking the Finance and Audit Committee to determine how the 2022 Ottawa Police budget could be reduced or frozen at 2021 levels. The 2021 Ottawa Police operating budget is $332.5 million.
Staff say a zero per cent increase in the Ottawa Police levy for 2022 would result in a $13.5 million deficit in the Ottawa Public Budget, “Which is equivalent to 130-140 FTEs and represents a major reduction in OPS capacity and service delivery.”
The report suggests a zero per cent increase in funding would have a “major” impact on service delivery, organization capacity and delivery impacts.
Staff say a zero per cent increase would result in the “elimination and/or significant reduction of all non-essential, non-legislated and/or non-priority directorates/units/sections/positions.” The report adds there would be a suspension of all recruiting, hiring and promotions and the cancellation of any planned expansion and enhancement of services.
With a base salary of $100,000 for each officer, police say the service would need to eliminate 10 police officer positions for each $1 million reduced from the budget.
“There are very few remaining civilian members who can be reduced because, over the last decade, the OPS has already reduced the operating budget by $20 million mostly through back and middle office efficiency reviews,” says the report.
A 1.5 per cent increase in the police levy would result in a $6.75 million deficit in the OPS budget in 2022, which staff say would result in 60 to 70 job cuts. The report says there would be a suspension of all hiring, promotions and recruiting and delayed expansion/enhancement of services in Neighbourhood Resource Teams and the Traffic Services Unit.
If police receive a 3 per cent increase in the police levy, the service would still be facing a $2.3 million deficit in 2022.
The police service had been hoping for a 3.6 per cent increase in funding next year. The report says a 3 per cent increase in the tax levy would have a “moderate” impact on potential service delivery, including delaying new initiatives with the traffic unit and the newly created Unsolved Homicide Section.
Ottawa Police say 81 per cent of its operating budget is spent on salaries and benefits, which is the result of contract agreements between the board and the Ottawa Police Association. Three per cent of the budget is spent on city costs, such as facility management and utilities, fleet maintenance, legal and procurement.
Ottawa City Council approved the 2022 budget directions on Wednesday, which included a three per cent increase in the police levy next year.
Council deferred a motion from Councillors Shawn Menard and Catherine McKenney for a zero per cent increase in the police levy until the fall budget deliberations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.