Prince George city officials got their first look at some of the terms of the tentative contract between the RCMP and Province of B.C. on Thursday.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities hosted an online briefing for municipal officials on the contract, which will have significant cost implications for the city. In November the provincial and federal governments reached a tentative 20-year agreement which will see the RCMP continue to provide policing services in the province until 2034.
In 2011, RCMP costs totaled $20.6 million - approximately 20 per cent of the city's total budget, and up nearly $1 million from 2010.
City public safety and civic facilities director Rob Whitwham said what the briefing didn't include is the projected costs for maintaining RCMP police services.
"At this point we were just getting a briefing on what some of the terms are," Whitwham said. "The province just received the documents. At this point, cabinet hasn't seen it yet. It'll likely be a while before municipalities get it."
However, there was some good news for the city in the briefing, he said.
"I think the important themes... are the concepts of partnership, accountability and cost containment or control," Whitwham said. "In general I see improvements on those fronts."
Mayor Shari Green was not available for comment as of press time.
