I wasn't going to post on this subject but I know some people want to keep updated. Yesterday, Minister Farnworth said he needed a report from the city on their vote by 1 PM or he would just make a decision without the cities input.
It took the Province six months to prepare the report. Minister Farnworth wants an answer in two business days! The Mayor reached out to both the Premier and Minister by phone and email to discuss the in camera meeting on Friday. They never returned her call or answered her email.
The Province wants us to transition to our own police force. We've been told the costs to transition are high and continuing with the RCMP would be financially our best choice. Our crime rates have decreased over the last five years.
At 12:15, Mayor Brenda Locke held a press conference and I watched it live. It was the most bizarre press conference I've ever seen.
Jas Johal a former MLA and broadcaster has a talk show on a local radio station. I don't listen to his show, but I do follow him on twitter. He tweeted this at 1:30:
One of the core issues the Surrey City report addresses I am told is cost. The 2020 Oppal Report projected that operating expenses for the SPS would add $19 million to the city's operating budget in its first year of full operation ($95 million over 5 years)
In November of 2022, the city identified $235 million in operating costs (5-year). This was before the city had access to the Collective Agreement
When city staff did go through the collective agreement, they found an additional $300 million in operating costs (5-year) due to staffing clauses. Meaning the total operating expense increase to Surrey would be $535 million over 5 years.
So.. .(drum roll please)...the difference between the 2020 Oppal Report’s 5-year projection (McCallum era) and the current Surrey staff report is $440 million dollars.
So that's operational. What about capital costs? The 2020 Oppal Report estimated $40 million in one-time capital and transitional costs. The Surrey staff reports estimates costs between $175 and $280 million.
2020 Oppal report says SPS would have 805 officers. However, 2022 collective agreement requires a minimum of 2 officers in each patrol car. Does this not mean 300 officers would have to be hired? What does this do to budget?
There is information from a trusted source who did his research!
From a live tweeter at last night's council meeting:
Mayor moves on to policing. Says council voted 6 - 3 to keep the RCMP in the closed meeting the other day. Says Surrey had made it's decision and the RCMP can meet the conditions set by the province. Says she is disappointed by Eby and Farnworth and asks them "to stop fear mongering".
Mayor continues to say the city report was sent to the Solicitor General and she hopes the province will accept the city's choice.
The fun never stops!
