MIKE Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced on Tuesday that the Surrey policing transition will continue and the target date of a change of command will be announced “shortly.”
In a statement, Farnworth said: “Mayor Brenda Locke and Surrey city council have failed to act in the best interest of the people of Surrey. Once again, they have demonstrated they want to continue this conflict rather than working together to complete the transition and keep people safe.
“In January of this year, the City of Surrey asked the Province to negotiate an agreement to help them to complete the transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), resolve the conflict, provide certainty and support the people of Surrey. In the interest of moving forward, we negotiated in good faith to provide the city with the reassurance they told us they needed. Unfortunately, it’s clear that Mayor Locke and Surrey city council would rather drag this out for years to come, instead of working together to do what’s best for people and businesses in Surrey.
“The city rejected an agreement that included a 10-year financial commitment: $150 million over five years, plus added assurance that if SPS officers were more expensive than RCMP officers in 2029, the Province would cover the difference every year for another five years to 2034 – up to $20 million per year. This agreement would have given people certainty that there would be no reason for police-related tax increases for at least a decade.
“We put solutions on the table to prevent transition-related tax increases and still, the city rejected it. Since the city has rejected financial support for the people of Surrey, the Province will use the $150 million to support the transition directly until it is completed. Any additional costs that end up getting passed on to the people of Surrey are the result of the failure of the mayor and council.
“Since the city reached out in January, teams of public professionals from the city and the Province met to address the city’s concerns, with the agreement of the mayor. Last week, the mayor wrote to me advising me that council agreed in principle to the financial commitment. It is clear that the mayor and council ultimately chose divisiveness and uncertainty. .
“The people of Surrey told us they want this to be over. We agree.
“There is a plan in place for the continued transition to the SPS, despite the City of Surrey’s refusal to be at the table. Last month, the Province and Canada agreed in principle that this transition plan would not require federal legislative amendments and would ensure the RCMP can support the SPS as Police of Jurisdiction.
“Although we are disappointed in the actions of the mayor and council, the transition will continue and look forward to announcing the target date of a change of command shortly.
“We are confident that the Province will be successful in the upcoming litigation.”
Background:
The Province offered to City of Surrey the following:
* A financial commitment that if Surrey Police Service (SPS) salary costs are higher than RCMP salary costs from 2029 to 2034, the Province will pay the actual difference in cost up to $20 million per year. If there were no additional costs the city would not receive any funds.
* This is on top of the previous offer of $150 million for the police transition costs from the RCMP to the SPS until 2029.
* To seek cabinet approval to reinstate the Surrey Police Board by June 1, 2024, and consult with the city on potential appointees.
* To establish an advisory committee, including ministry representatives, strategic implementation advisor, and city representatives, to reach an agreement on annual SPS budgets.
