I say turf'em. Say by-by. The RCMP is out of touch with modern BC. They are a rural police force, they started as the NWMP in the 19th century to deal with the settling of the West. In their HQ in south Vancouver, they have a big buffalo head-it looks pretty cool though, a symbol of their origins and corporate culture. So I say let the prairies have them, Ontario and Quebec have bid them adieu.
Greater Vancouver needs a regional police force, the money saved from the Mounties could be spent on that instead.
The Mounties ought to deal with fed govt with its many sprawling departments and agencies. They could also focus on computer crime, they are not exactly known to be world beaters at stopping it.
Greater Vancouver needs a regional police force, the money saved from the Mounties could be spent on that instead.
The Mounties ought to deal with fed govt with its many sprawling departments and agencies. They could also focus on computer crime, they are not exactly known to be world beaters at stopping it.
Public Safety Minister says he's awaiting B.C. response on RCMP contract
By PETER O'NEIL and Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun October 4, 2011 6:06 PM
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. Toews has set a deadline for talks between B.C. and his government over RCMP funding for the province.
Photograph by: CHRIS WATTIE, REUTERS
OTTAWA and VICTORIA --- Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, described by the opposition as the "bad cop" in the "good-cop, bad-cop" negotiating stance with Victoria over RCMP contract policing, threw the ball back in B.C.'s court during a testy exchange Tuesday.
He said Ottawa is prepared to strike a new 20-year deal with the province but is awaiting suggestions promised by B.C. Solicitor General Shirley Bond, who has complained about the difficulty in controlling Mountie costs borne by B.C. municipalities.
"She indicated on September 9 that she would be forwarding those suggestions. I haven't heard from her," Toews said during question period.
New Democratic Party MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) noted that Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, B.C.'s senior minister in cabinet, took a much softer line than Toews when speaking to the Union of B.C. Municipalities on Friday.
Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam) said he's confident a compromise will be reached.
"Will the Conservatives stop trying to play good-cop, bad-cop and sit down and negotiate seriously with British Columbia?" Garrison asked Tuesday.
Late Tuesday, B.C. Solicitor-General Shirley Bond issued a statement, saying "positive" discussions had taken place about the potential for reopening negotiations.
"I am advised the Deputy Solicitor General spoke with Minister Toews’ deputy today and had some positive dialogue about the potential for further talks. Minister Toews’ deputy asked for some additional material from us, which we will be forwarding as soon as possible," Bond said in the statement.
"The remaining nine Provinces and Territories met last week to confirm and refine our position," she added.
"Together we remain committed to resolving our differences and establishing a mutually beneficial agreement. We still believe that retaining the RCMP in BC creates significant benefits and we need to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all of us."
The provincial government and municipal mayors complain that Ottawa has threatened to end RCMP policing in 2014 if a 20-year contract extension isn't signed by the end of November.
Victoria and the municipalities want provisions in the contract giving them some control over RCMP decisions that impact on the amount B.C. taxpayers pay for those services.
But Moore said last week that the federal government shares Mountie costs and has a natural concern about rising costs.
The RCMP contract in B.C. cost $992 million in 2009-2010, with municipalities covering $493 million of that total, the province $315 million, and Ottawa just $184 million.
By PETER O'NEIL and Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun October 4, 2011 6:06 PM
Canada’s Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. Toews has set a deadline for talks between B.C. and his government over RCMP funding for the province.
Photograph by: CHRIS WATTIE, REUTERS
OTTAWA and VICTORIA --- Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, described by the opposition as the "bad cop" in the "good-cop, bad-cop" negotiating stance with Victoria over RCMP contract policing, threw the ball back in B.C.'s court during a testy exchange Tuesday.
He said Ottawa is prepared to strike a new 20-year deal with the province but is awaiting suggestions promised by B.C. Solicitor General Shirley Bond, who has complained about the difficulty in controlling Mountie costs borne by B.C. municipalities.
"She indicated on September 9 that she would be forwarding those suggestions. I haven't heard from her," Toews said during question period.
New Democratic Party MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) noted that Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore, B.C.'s senior minister in cabinet, took a much softer line than Toews when speaking to the Union of B.C. Municipalities on Friday.
Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam) said he's confident a compromise will be reached.
"Will the Conservatives stop trying to play good-cop, bad-cop and sit down and negotiate seriously with British Columbia?" Garrison asked Tuesday.
Late Tuesday, B.C. Solicitor-General Shirley Bond issued a statement, saying "positive" discussions had taken place about the potential for reopening negotiations.
"I am advised the Deputy Solicitor General spoke with Minister Toews’ deputy today and had some positive dialogue about the potential for further talks. Minister Toews’ deputy asked for some additional material from us, which we will be forwarding as soon as possible," Bond said in the statement.
"The remaining nine Provinces and Territories met last week to confirm and refine our position," she added.
"Together we remain committed to resolving our differences and establishing a mutually beneficial agreement. We still believe that retaining the RCMP in BC creates significant benefits and we need to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all of us."
The provincial government and municipal mayors complain that Ottawa has threatened to end RCMP policing in 2014 if a 20-year contract extension isn't signed by the end of November.
Victoria and the municipalities want provisions in the contract giving them some control over RCMP decisions that impact on the amount B.C. taxpayers pay for those services.
But Moore said last week that the federal government shares Mountie costs and has a natural concern about rising costs.
The RCMP contract in B.C. cost $992 million in 2009-2010, with municipalities covering $493 million of that total, the province $315 million, and Ottawa just $184 million.