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A new year but the same old story in cost sharing talks for the new RCMP HQ
VANCOUVER/CKNW (AM980)
Shane Woodford | Email news tips to shane.woodford@corusent.com
1/4/2013

It might be a new year but it is the same old story when it comes to negotiations over the cost sharing formula for the RCMP's new Surrey headquarters. 

Langley City mayor Peter Fassbender says the province has drawn a hard line in the sand over costs but he also admits with the Feds staying quiet it has been an entirely one sided conversation to date. 

"And up to now we have had no direct discussions with them so the message of course has been very clear we are not going to accept any news costs and will only be paying the equivalent of what we were paying prior to them moving into the new headquarters."

Fassbender says the lack of communication from Ottawa has been a challenge. 

"I guess the way I would characterize it is that the Feds and Public Works have been less than forthcoming with the information so that we have real clarity and that has been frustrating to say the least."

When asked if he was worried about negotiations not going BC's way if the Feds chose to play hardball Fassbender said  "Do we want to get a final resolution to all of the details? Absolutely. Am I worried we are not going to get that? I am not worried yet and I hope I don't need to be worried because I think what is fair is that we only pay the equivalent of what we would have been paying if they had stayed at Heather street."

The cost sharing formula will see Ottawa, the provincial government, and municipalities split the costs of the RCMP's new Green Timbers headquarters.

Negotiations are also separate from the recently signed 20 year RCMP deal. 

The building has a base price of $263 million but when you factor in other costs over the life of the deal like maintenance and financing the final tally is over a billion dollars. 

The RCMP could move into the facility in a few months. 


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  1. ChrisM_18 posted on 01/04/2013 08:37 AM
    Remember- this building includes a 1500 seat pub for the police. - only. The best for these guys!!
  2. MichaelD_10 posted on 01/04/2013 01:36 PM
    This sounds like a federal building, The kind Ontario and Quebec get the rest of the country to pay for. We should deep six the RCMP and go for a regional force. I know there will be extra costs. But at least we get a say in a provincial force. Of course you know Ontario and Quebec control who will be the federal government. The vote in rest of the country is more or less irrelevant, as was evident as soon as the Harper government had a majority.
  3. gordp1205 posted on 01/04/2013 02:06 PM
    Listening to Mayor Fassbender duke it out with Justice Oppal on Bill Good yesterday he was totally nonsensicle regarding the regionalization of police in the Lower Mainland. He kept referring to the effectiveness of Integrated units which essentially has created yet one more level of policing in our community. And to refer to former Chief of Police Bob Stewart as one of the "three amigos" against the RCMP was totally disrespectful. Mr. Stewart knows more about policing in the Lower Maniland than apparently Fassbender knows about negotiating "federal" contracts. Personally I feel the reason that Fassbender is so opposed to regionalization of police in the Lower Mainland is that it could be a start to overall regionalization, and if that was to occur, we know who might be out of his job!!!! Overall regionalization of the Lower Mainland might not save money at the beginning, but it will improve efficiency dramatically and eliminate one level of unnecessary government we call Metro. Personally I'm fed up with the silos and balkanization that goes on in the Lower Mainland and it's time to work together for what's best for the community, not what's best for the politicians.
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