Mayor Gerald Aalbers has indicated that the City of Lloydminster is facing a bill of just over $1.7 million for the retroactive pay to the RCMP.
In confirming the bill on the city’s website, Aalbers said that along with the “unfortunate news” from the federal minister of Public Safety of Canada was the opportunity to delay the payment for two years. Council is yet to decide on which option to take.
The mayor noted that the city has $1 million in reserve, but that still leaves $700,000 outstanding.
Aalbers stated he had hoped the federal government would have addressed the issue of the RCMP retroactive pay, but it now falls on municipalities to “face the music.” The delay option will push the bill to 2025, but either option will result in taxation at the local level.
The mayor encouraged residents to write their local MPs to express their concerns on this matter.