Is it time for Laurentian Hills to take another look at hiring the Deep River Police?
At least one member of town council thinks so.
Councillor Gary McAnulty raised the issue while council reviewed the OPP’s billing invoice for 2026.
The town will be billed $460,476 for the services of the Ontario Provincial Police next year.
That’s up from $414,843 this year and $400,758 in 2024.
The increase could have been worse. The province announced earlier this fall that it would place a cap of 11 per cent on OPP billing for 2026.
According to Laurentian Hills’ billing statement, that means the town’s full costing for 2026 should be $536,196.
With the cap in place, Laurentian Hills will be hit with an increase of “only” $45,633 instead, a “savings” of $75,720.
In a letter to municipalities at the beginning of December, Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the cap on OPP billing was introduced “to provide municipalities with greater predictability and stability for the 2026 billing year.”
“This measure reflects the province’s commitment to responsive and responsible cost management, particularly in the context of the cost pressures identified for the upcoming year,” Kerzner said.
“Without provincial intervention costs for OPP-policed municipalities would be significantly higher in 2026.”
McAnulty said for the money the town is paying, Laurentian Hills would be better off contracting the Deep River Police to cover the municipality.
“It’s a lot of money,” he said.
“I just don’t think we’re getting the coverage we think we are. Nobody’s showing up”…
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