'Outrageous,' Municipalities scrambling after double-digit spike in OPP costs

Several Ontario municipalities that rely on provincial police services are scrambling to revise their budget plans for next year after being suddenly saddled with skyrocketing law enforcement bills.

The bills handed down by Ontario Provincial Police for 2025 represent a jump of more than 30 per cent in some cases, and at least one municipality is facing more than double the previous price tag.

Local leaders say they now have to consider tax hikes or spending cuts to offset the costs.

Yvonne Hamlin, the mayor of Collingwood, says the town's OPP bill is set to jump by 37 per cent next year, which would require a roughly five per cent property tax hike.

She says it's "outrageous" to put the financial burden on property taxpayers.

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OPP did not respond to a request for comment but instead referred questions to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which is responsible for the force.

A spokesperson for the ministry says they are working with municipalities to make sure they aren't "negatively financially impacted" by the change.