National

Surrey councillors mull future of municipal police

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Nov, 2022 10:42 AM

SURREY, B.C. - Councillors in Surrey are set to consider a staff report that contains an option to halt all spending and hiring for that city's fledgling Surrey Police Service.

The report provides an update on the state of the transition from the RCMP to the municipal police force, also known as the SPS, that was formally established in 2020 under former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum.

Newly elected Mayor Brenda Locke campaigned to halt the switch and keep the Mounties in Surrey, and the report lays out the steps the new council must take to reverse the integration.

It presents two options, with the first stopping further spending on the SPS while a plan is submitted to the province for approval to end the integration and "ramp down" the municipal police agency.

The second option would continue the transition to a municipal force and move to Phase 2 of that process.

The report says timeliness of any decision, from city council and the province, is a priority to reduce uncertainty for staff, the community and future budgeting.

Surrey councillors are expected to consider the staff report late Monday at their first full meeting since being sworn in last week, following municipal elections in October.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

22-year-old Muhammad Mehran Ali of Delta has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by a crime, carrying a concealed weapon, fail to comply with probation order and prohibited driving under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Man charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that was for sale by owner

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

While the announcement signalled that federal workers would get a day off on Sept. 19, the day of the Queen's state funeral and of commemorative events across the country, provinces had to work out the details for other workplaces, including schools, with less than a week's notice.

Provinces scramble after Trudeau declares holiday

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID

The study, which lists Dr. Bonnie Henry among 13 authors, says that in contrast, 60 to 70 per cent of adults aged 20 to 59 and about 40 per cent of those aged 60 and over have been infected. The preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, was published online on Sept. 9 and says a series of surveillance reports of infections were understating the actual levels of infection by 92 times.

B.C. study says 80% of kids, youth have had COVID

Most Canadians indifferent to monarchy: poll

The poll from Leger and the Association of Canadian Studies also found that while some Canadians are happy about King Charles III taking the throne and others are not, most are largely indifferent to Canada’s new head of state.

Most Canadians indifferent to monarchy: poll

Liberals announce cost-of-living help

Until now, the government has said it is helping through existing policies, such as child care agreements with the provinces and automatic annual increases to programs like the GST rebate and Canada Child Benefit, as well as 2021 budget promises to increase benefits for seniors and low-income workers.

Liberals announce cost-of-living help

Canada donates up to $28 million for Pakistan

Emergency food, water, sanitation and health services are badly needed after monsoon rains over the last three months have left more than one-third of the country underwater. More than 33 million people are affected by the floods and with much of the country's agricultural land underwater, the Pakistani government is warning of an impending food shortage.