Ottawa Police Services Board report recommends drafting 2022 police budget with zero per cent funding hike
The Ottawa Police Service will draft its 2022 operating budget with a zero per cent increase in funding, as the service faces calls from some councillors and the community to freeze spending.
A report for the Ottawa Police Services Board asks members for "formal confirmation" to direct the service to draft a 2022 budget "that assumes a zero per cent increase as its base."
The motion from Chief Peter Sloly says the budget must include a "detailed explanation of any additional funding beyond the zero per cent required to ensure the provision of adequate and effective policing in the city of Ottawa in 2022."
The budget will also outline any related inflationary and/or collective bargaining increases.
The report submitted by Chief Sloly also directs staff to provide a detailed option plan for investments in 2022 and beyond that will lead to the "optimal allocation of current resources to match workload and the effective engagement of community assets."
Last November, the board passed a motion that the Ottawa Police Finance and Audit Committee strike a working group to determine how the 2022 Ottawa Police Service budget could be reduced or frozen at 2021 levels. If achieved, the board's motion would represent a zero per cent police tax levy increase in the OPS budget in 2022.
In July, a report for the Ottawa Police Services Board warned a budget freeze in 2022 would result in the elimination of 140 officers, longer response times and the suspension of all recruiting, hiring and promotions. Staff said a zero per cent increase in the Ottawa Police levy on the property tax bill would result in a $13.5 million deficit.
Staff said even if police received a three per cent increase in the police levy, the service would still be facing a $2.3 million deficit in 2022.
The report for Monday's board meeting says there are two major areas beyond the control of the Ottawa Police Service that will impact the draft budget: Inflationary issues placing pressures on operations and budgets and contract talks with the Ottawa Police Association and Senior Officer's Association, "which are expected to have a significant impact on the budget."
"Regardless, the OPS will continue to try optimally allocate resources and effectively engage community partners reduce service demands while improving service delivery," said Sloly.
Ottawa City Council approved the 2022 budget directions in July, which included a three per cent increase in the police levy next year.
Councillors Shawn Menard and Catherine McKenney introduced a motion calling for a zero per cent increase in the police levy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.