OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD COMMISSION DE SERVICES POLICIERS D’OTTAWA
	Working together for a safer community La sécurité de notre communauté, un travail d’équipe	REPORT RAPPORT

DATE                              24 September 2012

TO/DEST.                       Chair and Members of the Ottawa Police Services Board

FROM/EXP.                   Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board

SUBJECT/OBJET        ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

RECOMMENDATION

That the Ottawa Police Services Board write to Ontario Premier D. McGuinty, Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services M. Meilleur, Progressive Conservative Leader T. Hudak, and NDP Leader A. Horwath expressing the need to ensure fiscal responsibility in contract negotiations with the Ontario Provincial Police.

BACKGROUND

Attached at Annex A is a Bulletin issued by the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) on August 31, 2012, in which the Association calls on the Provincial Government to take responsibility for the costs of its provincial police force by exercising fiscal restraint in its contract negotiations with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).  

The Bulletin was prompted by comments made by Premier McGuinty suggesting that municipalities should look at eliminating the banking of sick days for police and firefighters in an effort to control costs.  The OAPSB agrees with the Premier’s position, but felt it important to point out that the Provincial Government has the power to help keep municipal policing costs under control by exercising responsibility in its contract negotiations with the OPP.  The Association pointed out the OPP contract impacts the contracts of all municipal police services by setting the standard and driving up costs throughout the Province.

The OAPSB is asking all police services boards to help them in conveying this message to the Provincial Government as well as the Opposition Leaders, by sending a letter to each of these parties.  A proposed letter is included in the attachment at Annex A. 

CONSULTATION

Not applicable. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

There is no direct financial impact associated with this report.  

CONCLUSION

The Ontario Association of Police Services Boards is requesting assistance from all OAPSB members in conveying a message to the Provincial Government about the need to be fiscally responsible in contract negotiations with the Ontario Provincial Police.  The OPP contract impacts all other municipal police contracts in the Province by establishing the benchmark against which the other services are measured.  The Ottawa Police Services Board is asked to support the OAPSB’s efforts by writing to the parties they have indicated in their Bulletin of August 31^st. 

(original signed by)

Wendy Fedec

Executive Director

Attach. (1)