The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association in coordination with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other provincial and territorial associations continues to call on the federal government to absorb the retroactive pay costs from the new RCMP collective agreement.

SUMA President, Randy Goulden says, “Safety is a top priority in our hometowns, and we truly value the work of those protecting our communities, but municipalities were not at the table when the retroactive RCMP pay increases were negotiated, and the associated costs significantly impact our municipal budgets.” She adds that the recent pause in invoicing the retroactive salaries to municipalities is welcome news, but it is a band-aid solution. Goulden is looking for a solution that ensures municipalities aren’t forced to make tough decisions on whether to make service cuts or pass the bill on to residents.

The City of Yorkton, where Goulden is mayor, is anticipating a $1.4-million increase to its policing budget. Swift Current estimates at least $1-million in retroactive pay and for Warman, the budget is expected to rise by more than 21.5 per cent.