Ten municipalities on Vancouver Island are protesting the province's plan to make them pay for 911 dispatch services, arguing that it will unfairly burden taxpayers. The municipalities say the downloaded costs will lead to significant property tax increases. They are calling for a more equitable approach, potentially a levy on cellphone users, and are pressing for greater transparency from the province about E-Comm's performance and financial management.
North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas expressed his concern over the provincial government 's plan to impose costs for 911 dispatch services on certain municipalities, stating that it would significantly impact his resource-based community. Douglas highlighted that North Cowichan is already grappling with rising service and infrastructure costs, exacerbated by the looming threat of U.S. tariffs on lumber.
He emphasized that this year is particularly challenging for North Cowichan to absorb a substantial financial burden from higher levels of government, noting that many of his colleagues face similar situations. Joining Douglas were mayors and councilors from ten south Island municipalities who gathered outside the legislature to voice their opposition to the province's decision. They argued that it is unfair for them to bear the cost of E-Comm services when other local governments continue to receive cost coverage from provincial and federal governments. \The mayors warn that the downloaded costs, commencing on April 1, will place a significant financial strain on property owners across the ten municipalities, amounting to a collective bill of $4.9 million. This financial burden will necessitate property tax increases ranging from 2.7% to 6%. The south Island municipalities included in this group provide RCMP services and encompass Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Sooke, Sidney, North Saanich, Duncan, and Ladysmith. Approximately 40 other British Columbia municipalities currently have dispatch services fully covered by a 70/30 split between the provincial and federal governments, as they utilize a provincial operational communications center. However, other municipalities on the south Island, including Victoria and Saanich, have their 911 dispatching services managed through E-Comm, which is owned by a consortium of member municipalities, police boards, and provincial and federal agencies. In 2021, the province announced its intention to cease funding police dispatch costs for E-Comm users starting in 2025. This offloading of costs is set to begin on April 1, despite repeated pleas from local governments who argue that it adds to existing financial pressures, including inflation, aging infrastructure, rising service expectations, new provincial mandates for housing, and ongoing downloaded costs related to health and social issues. \The mayors presented a collective statement, expressing that the download is unacceptable unless the costs are applied uniformly across British Columbia, implemented gradually, and accompanied by demonstrable value from E-Comm's dispatch services. View Royal anticipates its 911 dispatch costs to be $229,000 this year and $319,000 in 2026, translating to approximately $90 for the average household. Sidney estimates a first-year impact of $262,500 and a full-year cost in 2026 at $360,000. Colwood has budgeted $399,000 to fund its share of E-Comm services this year and $561,000 next year. For Ladysmith, the cost will be $221,000, resulting in a 2.6% tax increase this year. Sooke is paying $254,927 this year, leading to a 2% property tax hike, and $340,000 next year, which will result in a 2.7% property tax increase. Langford faces the most significant impact due to its population size and the number of calls, with an estimated cost of $1.5 million this year, representing a 2.7% property tax increase. In the following years, the city expects to pay $2.1 million annually, leading to a 2% tax increase each year. North Cowichan is currently grappling with an 8.4% increase in property taxes, but this is likely to rise further as 911 services will add $700,000 to the budget this year and approximately $1 million in 2026. Douglas stated that maintaining core services is becoming increasingly expensive and that decisions like the downloading of police dispatch services are beyond their control. Adding to the complexity, there are concerns about the future of North Cowichan's major industries. The Catalyst pulp mill in Crofton and three Western Forest Products lumber facilities are the primary taxpayers and largest employers. With the U.S. threatening major tariffs on Canadian goods as early as this weekend, Douglas expresses concern. He said, 'There is a lot of uncertainty in the forestry sector. We are concerned that if we lose one or both of those companies, there’s going to be major repercussions with our residents and tax base.' Metchosin Mayor Marie-Terese Little suggests that the province should implement a levy on all cellphone users to offset 911 costs, citing examples of provinces like Alberta, Newfoundland, Quebec, and Nova Scotia that have successfully implemented such levies. She argues that while the province claims the levy is complex, other provinces have managed to overcome these challenges. The province is currently conducting a review of E-Comm's operational, financial transparency, and performance. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg announced the review in December but has not provided a timeline for the release of its findings. Municipalities are scheduled to meet with the ministry on Tuesday, indicating a potential opportunity for collaboration
BC Municipalities 911 Dispatch E-Comm Property Taxes Financial Burden Provincial Government Public Safety Cost Download Cellphone Levy
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