![]() ![]() The Surrey Board of Trade, which supported sticking with the RCMP, says it will be following closely the next “crucial” steps. is going to move to a provincial force the work has to start now. While Farnworth has said the idea is not on the front burner, this week Premier David Eby said given that the contract with the RCMP is up in the early 2030s, if B.C. She said it’s a way to build on the new municipal force and assist the province in providing police officers, which would be particularly helpful if the province eventually creates a provincial police force to replace the RCMP.Ī 2022 all-party legislative committee report recommended a provincial force in place of the RCMP. On Thursday, Annis issued a statement calling on Surrey to be the home of a new police training academy and centre of excellence. “People just want us to get it done,” said Annis. government decision that Locke and her councillors would move on and the city would start building the “best” police department in B.C. Surrey councillor Linda Annis, with the Surrey First party, said while the mayor has talked of fighting this to the very end, she hoped that with the B.C. “In addition to his authority to ensure adequate and effective policing under Section 2, the municipality is given the authority under Section 3(2) to choose the model by which they will police their municipality,” said Locke. In her statement, Locke said Farnworth’s “selective” interpretation of the Police Act, that he had authority to reject their plan because it was not safe, was a concern. Locke issued a written statement on Wednesday saying she would not comment further until she had discussed options with her councillors. On Thursday, councillors who belong to her party could not be reached for comment. And certainly not only the people who didn’t vote for it, but some of the people who did vote for it and wanted it to be over.”ĭragging it in the courts could disrupt and define her entire time as mayor, said Telford. “I think there is a possibility here that the mayor could overplay, if she has not already overplayed, and that she could start to alienate voters. “They could try and wage (a fight) but I think that would be a mistake,” he said. government’s decision would be a long shot. Telford noted the chances of the city winning a fight to overturn the B.C. In this case, there are nearly 400 officers and staff hired for the Surrey Police Service and more than $100 million spent in a transition that has been underway for more than 2½ years. ![]() Article contentįarnworth has already said he will introduce legislation this fall to ensure that a city’s decision to form a municipal force and then reverse that decision cannot happen again. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The report noted that a province can, at will, take away or change any municipal power previously granted. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who acknowledged Wednesday he had talked to the mayor and reported she was not happy and does not agree with the decision.īut Telford said that as much as Locke and her councillors are unhappy, there is no doubt that, constitutionally, municipalities are subject to the authority of provincial governments in Canada.Ī 2001 report to the City of Toronto highlighted that, noting the Constitution gives the provinces exclusive control over cities and other municipalities, meaning the powers a city possesses depend almost entirely on the powers the province wishes to grant. She could dig in her heels and mount a legal challenge to the decision by B.C. Or Locke could try to negotiate a better deal - seeking more money over a longer period of time, for example.īut she would have had more bargaining chips before this week’s “final” decision, said Hamish Telford, a political scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley who has been closely following the long-running dispute. Locke and her majority council members first voted to halt the transition to the Surrey Police Service last fall and wanted to return to the RCMP, largely because a municipal force will be more expensive by their estimates, $30 million or more annually. Activate your Online Access Now Article content If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Manage Print Subscription / Tax Receipt.Westcoast Homes & Design Previous Issues.Vancouver Sun Run: Sign up & event info. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |