The Ontario government is easing financial pressures on municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) with new proposed billing changes. This move addresses the budget challenges posed by recent OPP salary increases.
Municipalities will see a 3.75% reduction in 2023 reconciled costs, covering 100% of OPP salary increases except the 1% already included in estimates. A further 44% reduction in 2023 overtime costs and a 10% reduction in 2025 invoices are also planned. These changes amount to over $77 million in relief for OPP-policed communities.
myFM received a copy of the letter the town received from the Office of the Solicitor General which shared the 2025 bill will drop from $5,041,653 to $4,318,854—a $722,799 reduction. The town reported earlier this year that they saw a staggering 23% increase, bringing the total to $5,041,653, up from $4,113,260.
The province is maintaining its $125 million annual Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program for 2025 and plans to review the OPP billing model to better meet community needs.
Written by Emily Chatwood