Owen Sound Council Defers OPP Policing Costing to 2027

The Owen Sound City Council deferred the exploration of the process for obtaining an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) costing until 2027. During a Monday meeting, council referred a staff report detailing the requirements and timelines for such a request to the newly formed Resilient Community Advisory Committee.

The decision follows a July 27 motion prompted by concerns over policing costs, which are budgeted at $9.5 million for 2026. City Manager Tim Simmons clarified that the city is not currently seeking to change its policing service or obtain a formal costing, but is instead gathering information on the provincial process. The Ministry of the Solicitor General advised that the city must first thoroughly understand the costs and revenues of its current municipal model, including dispatch operations and contractual agreements with neighbors, before considering alternatives.

Council members expressed differing views on the information-gathering phase. Councillor Melanie Middlebro’ emphasized the need for data before making decisions, while Councillor Brock Hamley argued that requesting a costing does not commit the city to changing its service provider. The city previously opted to maintain its municipal force in 2017.