A delegation sent to City Hall to answer questions regarding RCMP costs got an earful from district staff and protective services committee councillors Patricia Heintzman, Doug Race and Corinne Lonsdale Tuesday (June 23) when it was revealed the province is not backing down from increasing RCMP costs following a questionable census reassessment.
The district is not backing down either.
In a meeting with RCMP acting financial manager for the region, Karen Hall, Race said the payment agreement between municipalities and the province refers to use of the "official census" to determine the cost load, yet the province is not adhering to that.
"We may end up in Supreme Court to get a judge to interpret that," he said.
The meeting follows on council's receipt of a June 3 document outlining a policing cost breakdown.
The 2006 Statistics Canada census shows the Squamish population as approximately 50 people shy of 15,000, which means the town should absorb 70 per cent of policing costs for a total of $2.6 million to cover 25 members and use of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
However the province insists their revised census puts the population at over 15,000, which means 90 per cent of costs are deferred to the district for a total of $3.6 million for the same service.
"We feel the province has come up with their own version of what the census says," said Race.
Hall said she could not speak to the province's controversial decision to reassess the town's population and raise policing costs by $1 million.
"Our instructions [from the B.C. Solicitor General] are that you are to be considered a municipality over [15,000] at 90 per cent," said Hall.
"Did they tell you how they determined we were over 90 per cent?" Heintzman asked.
"They provided a number, which they provided to you also, which I know you're disputing," said Hall.
But, said district financial services director Ralph Hughes, the province has not provided a number to the district.
"It was a statement that we are over," he said. "I provided documentation both from the province and Stats Canada to show our population under."
Acting chief administrative officer Robin Arthurs added she had discussions with Statistics Canada representatives who confirmed the municipality is under 15,000.
"Statistics Canada is saying they don't have any revised numbers," said Arthurs.
Arthurs said former CAO Kim Anema and Mayor Greg Gardner Race recently met with Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Public Service Kevin Begg as well as the B.C. Solicitor General to discuss the matter, however the issue remains unresolved.
Hall said if the district stuck to its $2.6 million payment, it would result in 10 fewer RCMP officers. And the RCMP commissioner could step in, said Hall, because the number may not meet minimum standard requirements.
Race asked what would happen if the district simply did not pay the entire bill of $3.6 million.
"We'll deal with an invoice. What we don't want to have happen is losing members."
Hall said she'd have to do some research since, although three other municipalities just this year faced similar census revisions bumping their population up for increased RCMP costs, payment refusal has never occurred.
"Well we like being first, quite frankly," said Lonsdale.
Councillors also questioned payments for overtime and travel expenses incurred from North Vancouver court appearances, saying both Squamish and Whistler would benefit from a local courthouse.
"It's just one more way the province is downloading on us," said Heintzman.
The committee passed a motion to request corridor RCMP detachments produce information on costs for travel and overtime during court appearances.
