Ontario Allocates $77 Million to Ease Rising OPP Policing Costs for Municipalities

The funding aims to support small and rural communities facing double-digit increases in police bills due to a new OPP contract and wage hikes.

Ontario has proposed $77 million in financial relief to help municipalities manage steep increases in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) costs.
The increases stem from a new four-year OPP contract that includes retroactive wage hikes of up to 4.75% for 2023 and further annual raises through 2026.
Some municipalities reported OPP cost hikes exceeding 20%, with one community facing more than a 100% increase, prompting concerns over property tax hikes for residents.
The relief package includes reductions in reconciled policing and overtime costs for 2023 and a 10% reduction for 2025 policing invoices.
The province has also pledged to review the OPP billing model to address long-term affordability for municipalities and maintain essential policing services.