Province supports Sackville, Moncton as they battle for RCMP subsidy

The provincial government has now jumped on board to help Metro Moncton and Sackville in their bid to receive a subsidy from the feds that would help offset rising policing costs in their communities.
"The province is in the ring now and fighting the battle on our behalf," said Sackville CAO Barry Carroll during town council's monthly meeting last Monday night.
Carroll said he and Mayor Pat Estabrooks attended a meeting last week with provincial government representatives to pitch their case for receiving the subsidy.
He said provincial officials have put together a discussion paper that they'll be submitting to the federal government, arguing that the town of Sackville and the tri-community area of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview should receive the 10 per cent subsidy that all other municipalities across Canada receive for RCMP service.
"This would have major implications for our municipality," he said.
In fact, with a $1.5 million annual policing budget, Sackville would see a return of about $150,000 per year if the town were to receive the federal funding.
Metro Moncton and Sackville are the only two municipalities in the country that have made the switch to RCMP policing without receiving the 10 per cent subsidy the other towns receive from the federal government (some receive 30 per cent). Both communities made the switch after the federal treasury board had placed a moratorium on the subsidized funding a decade ago.
"Sackville and Moncton are the only two municipalities in the country who pay the 100 per cent," said Carroll.
Estabrooks said she is cautiously optimistic that the town will meet with success in receiving the funding.
"I hope to see some good news come out of this," she said.
Coun. Merrill Fullerton praised the CAO and mayor for their concerted efforts to work with Metro Moncton, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the province to build a strong case on behalf of the town.