Surrey policing decision expected to be announced by B.C. government

B.C.’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth will be making an announcement at 11:45 a.m. regarding Surrey policing.

surrey policing decision expected to be announced by b.c. government

The event will be live-streamed above.

The announcement is expected to be about the transition between the Surrey RCMP and the Surrey Police Service.

The transition, which began in 2018 under former mayor Doug McCallum, ran into speedbumps after current Mayor Brenda Locke was elected on a pledge to stop it and keep the RCMP.

The province ultimately ordered Surrey to complete the transition and replaced the Surrey Police Board with a special administrator to push the work through.

In November, the administrator appointed to replace the police board projected Surrey Police Service officers would outnumber their RCMP counterparts by the end of 2024.

In April, the City of Surrey rejected a funding deal to help offset the costs of its transition to a municipal police force.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Farnworth said the city had approached the province to negotiate the transition to the Surrey Police Service (SPS) in January, leading to a deal package the province offered with an April deadline.

Farnworth said that despite Locke indicating previously that the council had agreed in principle to the financial commitment, the city ultimately opted not to take the deal.

The agreement would have provided Surrey with a previously reported $150 million over five years to help complete the transition.

On top of that, the province had committed to providing up to $20 million a year for the five years after that should the SPS cost the city more than the RCMP between 2029 and 2034.

“This agreement would have given people certainty that there would be no reason for police-related tax increases for at least a decade,” Farnworth said.

With the deal rejected, Farnworth said the offer was “finished” but that the province will put the original $150 million directly into funding the completion of the police transition.

“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,” Farnworth said.

-with files from Simon Little

More on Politics

OTHER NEWS

20 minutes ago

China rover returns historic samples from far side of the moon — and they may contain secrets to Earth's deep past

20 minutes ago

2024 Volkswagen Golf R brings power boost and new tech

20 minutes ago

Julian Assange Pleads Guilty to Espionage, Securing His Freedom

20 minutes ago

Estimated declaration times of General Election results: Alphabetical list

20 minutes ago

Farage called out over comments

20 minutes ago

£1.4bn worth of PPE from single firm was destroyed or written off

20 minutes ago

Lol: Woman drank alcohol from her handbag at fancy restaurant, Mzansi laughs

20 minutes ago

Woman Not 'Satisfied' With Carpet Job—Then Cleaner Shared the Before Photo

24 minutes ago

Jacksonville approves $1.4B renovation of Jaguars stadium

24 minutes ago

Guatemala appeals court revokes judge's order to give house arrest to renowned journalist José Rubén Zamora

24 minutes ago

Suspected Yemen Houthi attack targets vessel in waters farther away than many previous assaults

24 minutes ago

Guatemalan appeals court revokes order to grant house arrest to journalist José Rubén Zamora

24 minutes ago

Valley View tornado survivor continues to heal after suffering broken ribs, a punctured lung and blood clot

25 minutes ago

Canada beats Peru 1-0 for first ever Copa America win

25 minutes ago

Woman found shot to death in Illinois farm field finally identified after nearly 50 years

25 minutes ago

Kenya Moore Breaks Her Silence After ‘RHOA’ Season 16 Exit

25 minutes ago

A skydiving accident left him a double amputee. Now he’s a snowboarding champion

28 minutes ago

Video: Michael Phelps says false doping accusations eroded 'a lifetime of mental health growth' - and now regulators turning a blind eye to accusations of China doing just that

28 minutes ago

Video: Nigel Farage makes thinly veiled swipe after being booed by crowd as he wins best news presenter at the TRIC Awards

29 minutes ago

Newly sworn-in ANC MP Zizi Kodwa: State’s case against me is ‘nonexistent’

29 minutes ago

John 5 Responds to Accusations of Guitar Miming With Motley Crue

29 minutes ago

Despite political uncertainty, Cape Town's office rental market thrives

29 minutes ago

Labor’s renewables-only approach ‘can’t’ stabilise Australia’s energy grid

29 minutes ago

Medihelp reports strong growth, more younger members join

29 minutes ago

Never (really) too young to have a will

29 minutes ago

Exciting call for nominations for the 2024 AWIEF Awards

29 minutes ago

Blockchain vs Crypto

29 minutes ago

Texas A&M beats Florida 6-0 to make CWS finals for 1st time as Gators shut out 1st time in 2 years

29 minutes ago

Generative AI sent to the dock in RIAA ‘BBL Drizzy’ legal action

29 minutes ago

The Matric mandate: a barrier to employment for South African youth

29 minutes ago

One of 2024's biggest new anime series will be shown in cinemas – one month before its Netflix and Crunchyroll release

29 minutes ago

Money Show host Bruce Whitfield to leave Primedia

29 minutes ago

Great Wolf Lodge water park in Webster will open earlier than expected, according to website

29 minutes ago

Employers' role in health and wellness to promote employee well-being, by Medshield

29 minutes ago

How environmental toxins and pollution affect our health, by Medshield

29 minutes ago

LA broadcast TV legend Tom Van Amburg — who gave Regis Philbin his daytime start — dead at 83

29 minutes ago

Video: Shocking moment thugs armed with Rambo knives fight in the middle of the day on residential London street

29 minutes ago

Everything you need to know about changes coming July 1

29 minutes ago

Coalition slams Prime Minister for not expelling rogue Labor Senator Fatima Payman

29 minutes ago

Former Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and wife Julie Neale announce baby news