CHANGES TO RCMP COST REDISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

The government has established the rates urban and rural municipalities will pay for policing costs for 2003.

The costs to provide service to the nearly 800 communities policed by the RCMP will increase by $3.05 per person this year, based on the 2001 census.

"Keeping communities safe is a top priority of this government and the provision of affordable, quality policing for small towns and villages is a key part of that strategy," Justice Minister Eric Cline said. "The province will spend $91 million to support policing in 2003-2004 and will recover about $13 million from municipalities through this program."

Cline said the program is a way to provide quality, cost effective policing for communities under 5000 in population and to rural residents. It is premised on the notion that every municipality contributes to its policing costs.

Many municipalities have experienced a change in population since the last census in 1996. This population change is the biggest factor in the changes to the costs to municipalities for policing.

There has been a decrease in the total population of the nearly 800 communities policed by the RCMP as well as shifts in population among these communities.

The cost to provide service to the nearly 800 communities policed by the RCMP has also increased by $1.5 million for 2003, due to increased operating costs. As well, the communities of Kindersley, Melville, and Warman joined the cost redistribution pool in 2003 adding the cost to support 14 police officer positions to the program.

New costs for municipalities participating in the program will range from $23.05 per person to $60.05 per person, depending on the size of the community and whether it receives police services from a detachment located in its municipality or another municipality.

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For More Information, Contact:

Candace Congram Justice Regina Phone: (306)787-0775