'OPP costing and possible take over is not a guaranteed cost saving' NBPA

North Bay Police Association
News Release

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The North Bay Police Association and its 157 members are committed to the City of North Bay, the Police Association is concerned with the recent loss of approximately 500 local jobs and its affects within our community.

City Council and the Police Services Board has reviewed the budget presented by Chief Paul Cook at 4.9% increase and ordered cuts, with some in Council asking for 0% increase. One option some councilors believe can lower the budget or achieve 0% is a request for an Ontario Provincial Police costing.

The members of the North Bay Police Association are local tax payers too and see the need for some City wide budget restraints, but an OPP costing and possible take over is not a guaranteed cost saving.

The OPP in 2014 will receive an 8.5% pay increase making them the highest paid Police Service in the Province this was achieved through collective bargaining in 2010. The OPP members also receive Health Benefits for life after retirement.

In 2014 the members of the North Bay Police Association receive a 3% pay increase and all benefits end at age 65 after retirement, also with a possible OPP take over, the 63 civilian members are not guaranteed employment, so more possible job losses for our city.

The citizen of North Bay can’t afford the cost of OPP policing because once the service is disbanded we would be at the mercy of OPP contract renewal which have steadily increased with salary increases being the biggest proportion of the increases.

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