WHEREAS, The Community Safety & Policing Act received Royal Assent on March 26, 2019 but regulations have not yet been released and is not in force and effect; and
WHEREAS, Part 4, Section 24 is designed to create efficiencies through amalgamating Section 10 Police Services Boards throughout the province; and WHEREAS, Section 22, Item 8 extends Section 10 Boards to include First Nations representation on these newly amalgamated Boards; and
WHEREAS, Under the Police Services Act (1990), Section 10 Police Services Boards have historically been administered through existing municipal resources; and
WHEREAS, The amalgamation process will consume considerable resources to recruit and train members, establish policies, create a strategic plan and establish communication tools, all of which are required by the province; and
WHEREAS, First Nations do not have an available tax base from which to help fund Police Service Board operations; and
WHEREAS, Municipalities and municipal tax payers are left to fund significant start-up costs to implement the requirements of the Community Safety & Policing Act governance and implementation of community safety initiatives; and
WHEREAS, To date there have been no funds confirmed from the province to assist with the amalgamation or start-up costs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT; The Council of the Township of Douro-Dummer ask that the Ministry of the Solicitor General provide one-time funding to assist with the start-up costs related to the amalgamation of Section 10 Boards in the province; and
THAT, A copy of this Resolution be circulated to Minister Michael Kerzner, Hon. David Piccini, MPP Dave Smith, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Ontario Association of Police Service Board, all Municipalities and Williams Treaty First Nations.