Lesser Slave MD police cost share shoots up by 30 per cent

The M.D. of Lesser Slave River recently received an invoice from the province for its share of police funding, under the new formula imposed by the government a year or two ago. It’s gone up a lot.

The purported purpose, at the time, was that the new formula would result in an enhancement of resources to fight rural crime. As noted elsewhere in this week’s M.D. council notes, that hasn’t been seen.

The new invoice is for $197,000, which the report in council’s Sept. 27 council agenda package says is “significantly over” the budgeted amount of $154,000. That figure was based on a two per cent increase over the 2022 invoiced amount.

Council approved a motion to spend the unbudgeted extra $43,000, but weren’t happy about it.
“I think we should get back on this,” said Councillor Lana Spencer, referring to a lobby effort through the Rural Municipalities Association. “I’m sure in the next few years we’ll be paying a quarter of a million.”

“More downloading,” said Reeve Murray Kerik.

Protective services
In other M.D. policing news, senior M.D. Peace Officer Paul Mulholland reported to council about doing mid-day patrols. Hamlets are vulnerable then because so many people are away at work, he said.

What to do with stray dogs and cats is becoming a problem. Facilities are full.

“We might want to look at having our own facility,” Mulholland said.

On the nuisance front, Mulholland said he has a dozen files open.

Joe McWilliams