CNCC Policing Costs

December 3, 2021 – The Town of Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Leroux, and fellow Council members continue to seek answers from Solicitor General Jones and MPP Jill Dunlop since receiving the official confirmation that in 2022, policing costs will be significantly increased.

In early October, Mayor Leroux sent Solicitor General Jones, and MPP Jill Dunlop a letter demanding more answers for the cost increase. A response to this letter was received on November 5, 2021. Although the reply spoke to many of the details related to policing costs, yet again, Solicitor General Jones did not address the consistent and clear message that a meeting (virtual or in-person) is required to discuss this matter. Waiting six months to determine impacts is not necessary and simply unacceptable.

On December 3, 2021 Mayor Leroux released two additional letters directed to MPP Jill Dunlop and Solicitor General Jones. These letters are attached to the news release.

“Both our Municipal Council and our community continue to grow increasingly frustrated with this intentional lack of communication and respect to those who reside and pay taxes in our Province” says Mayor Doug Leroux. “We have many items we need to speak to from the latest response we received, and an in person or virtual meeting is non-negotiable”.

Our Municipal Council remains extremely committed to this issue and has every intention of holding the Province fully accountable to the agreement that’s been in place since the inception of the building in 2000.

Both letters heavily touch on the need for our Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jill Dunlop to stand by previous promises and support our community by working with the Ministry to relieve these devastating impacts.

The Town of Penetanguishene continues to encourage you, as residents to reach out to both Solicitor General Jones and MPP Jill Dunlop in hopes to have this matter discussed and eliminate the impact on our community.

Our position remains the same – Policing Costs at this Provincial facility are the single and sole responsibility of the Province of Ontario, not to be funded by the 4,269 properties in Penetanguishene.

The full letters, sent to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and MPP Jill Dunlop are attached to this media release.

Letters and news releases previously sent pertaining to this issue can be viewed below:

Town of Penetanguishene Mayor sends letter to Solicitor General demanding answers for CNCC policing costs

Residents are encouraged to get involved and express concerns regarding CNCC policing costs

For media enquiries, please contact:

Jeff Lees, CPA, CGA

Chief Administrative Officer

Town of Penetanguishene

jlees@penetanguishene.ca

705-549-7453

The financial impact of the loss of the cost recovery is expected to be $373,952 for the upcoming 2022 year, increasing the tax levy for that matter alone by 3.3%, an average hike of $87 to each property in Town.

“My position remains the same – Policing Costs at this Provincial facility are the single and sole responsibility of the Province of Ontario, not to be downloaded to the residents of Penetanguishene” says Mayor Leroux.“I will continue to express my concerns and hope to work together with Solicitor General Jones and MPP Jill Dunlop to discuss a resolution that has our community impact at the forefront.”

Our Municipal Council remains extremely committed to this issue and has every intention of holding the Province fully accountable to the agreement that’s been in place since the inception of the building in 2000.

October 13, 2021 – The Town of Penetanguishene has received official confirmation that in 2022, policing costs will be significantly increased. This is directly as a result of the Ministry’s arbitrary decision to discontinue funding policing costs at Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC). Over the last year, Mayor Leroux has made several efforts to engage thoroughly with the Solicitor General (Minister Sylvia Jones) and our local MPP Jill Dunlop about this very issue.

On August 16, Mayor Leroux and Town of Penetanguishene CAO, Jeff Lees met virtually with Minister Sylvia Jones as well as MPP Jill Dunlop during the AMO Conference. While the opportunity to engage was appreciated, Mayor Leroux was only provided 10 minutes to outline the concerns of Council, Staff and our residents.

“To say that I continue to be disappointed and frustrated is an understatement. Our final ask from August 16 was for a more in-depth meeting with [the Solicitor General] on this significant, material and frankly inequitable matter” says Mayor Doug Leroux. “Now more than eight weeks later from our AMO conference meeting, I feel no further ahead and as though the 9,000 residents of Penetanguishene are of little interest to the Province of Ontario.”

On September 30, 2021, the Town received its annual OPP Billing Statement for 2022. The Ministry identified some errors in the original version and sent a revised copy on October 4, 2021.

Since receiving the updated OPP Billing Statement, staff have spent significant time reviewing and analyzing the package received. Based on the results in the 2022 OPP Billing Statement, the attached letter was prepared and sent to the Solicitor General from Mayor Leroux on October 12, 2021.

“The impact of the loss of the cost recovery at that facility is expected to be $373,952 for the upcoming 2022 year, increasing the tax levy for that matter alone by 3.3%, an average hike of $87 to each property in Town” says Mayor Doug Leroux. “This increase fails to factor in the cost of delivering roads infrastructure, fire services, streetlights, public works services, or any other services funded by local property taxes.”

Our Municipal Council remains extremely committed to this issue and has every intention of holding the Province fully accountable to the agreement that’s been in place since the inception of the building in 2000.

Our position remains the same – Policing Costs at this Provincial facility are the single and sole responsibility of the Province of Ontario, not to be funded by the residents of in Penetanguishene.

The full letter, sent to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones on October 12, 2021, is attached to this media release.