Naqvi defends new OPP billing model
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 4:16 amTo the Editor,
The development of the OPP’s new billing was guided by three principles: fairness for all municipalities, equitable distribution of policing costs among all communities served by the OPP, and easy to understand bills so municipalities like Haliburton know exactly the types of calls for service they are paying for – allowing them to better direct crime prevention resources to save money and keep their communities safe.
The old model, unfortunately, was none of those things. It was introduced almost 17 years ago and had not been updated since.
It was a system that resulted in similar municipalities paying vastly different amounts for police service. In fact, some municipalities were paying less than $10 a year per household while others were paying more than $800.
We heard from municipalities who knew it was not fair, and we were told by the Auditor General that the current model was not fair, that the bills were unclear, and that it needed to change.
The new model is more fair, more transparent and more equitable – eliminating the huge differences municipalities were paying for policing by more equitably redistributing costs and provides municipalities with data so they can better understand the types of calls in their community and direct crime prevention strategies.
The process of developing the new model did not happen overnight.
It was more than two years in the making and is a testament to the real action that can be achieved through constructive feedback and dialogue.
The government held consultation sessions with 229 municipalities, received advice from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) OPP Billing Steering Committee, and I personally met with Haliburton County representatives in May and again in July to discuss the billing model.
The new model reflects the feedback and input we received from Haliburton County and others.
It now includes industrial and commercial properties in the new formula. Including a seasonal property discount, however, would go against the principle of fairness at the heart of the new billing model and like other municipal services, such as water and garbage collection, policing is a year round service for both people and property.
We have worked hard with our municipal and policing partners to develop a new OPP model.
It is a fair approach. It is responsive approach. It is an equitable approach. And it is a transparent and responsible approach.
Yasir Naqvi
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
http://haliburtonecho.ca/?p=5867
The development of the OPP’s new billing was guided by three principles: fairness for all municipalities, equitable distribution of policing costs among all communities served by the OPP, and easy to understand bills so municipalities like Haliburton know exactly the types of calls for service they are paying for – allowing them to better direct crime prevention resources to save money and keep their communities safe.
The old model, unfortunately, was none of those things. It was introduced almost 17 years ago and had not been updated since.
It was a system that resulted in similar municipalities paying vastly different amounts for police service. In fact, some municipalities were paying less than $10 a year per household while others were paying more than $800.
We heard from municipalities who knew it was not fair, and we were told by the Auditor General that the current model was not fair, that the bills were unclear, and that it needed to change.
The new model is more fair, more transparent and more equitable – eliminating the huge differences municipalities were paying for policing by more equitably redistributing costs and provides municipalities with data so they can better understand the types of calls in their community and direct crime prevention strategies.
The process of developing the new model did not happen overnight.
It was more than two years in the making and is a testament to the real action that can be achieved through constructive feedback and dialogue.
The government held consultation sessions with 229 municipalities, received advice from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) OPP Billing Steering Committee, and I personally met with Haliburton County representatives in May and again in July to discuss the billing model.
The new model reflects the feedback and input we received from Haliburton County and others.
It now includes industrial and commercial properties in the new formula. Including a seasonal property discount, however, would go against the principle of fairness at the heart of the new billing model and like other municipal services, such as water and garbage collection, policing is a year round service for both people and property.
We have worked hard with our municipal and policing partners to develop a new OPP model.
It is a fair approach. It is responsive approach. It is an equitable approach. And it is a transparent and responsible approach.
Yasir Naqvi
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
http://haliburtonecho.ca/?p=5867