The Cape Breton Regional Municipality doesn’t want to pay to police provincial highways.
They’re upset that the province is set to stop paying RCMP for the service.
The CBRM says if they have to foot the bill, it will cost local taxpayers an extra $1 million a year.
In a release, Mayor Amanda MacDougall says the province’s assertion that it’s the municipality’s responsibility is ‘patently unreasonable.’
They want the province to continue funding RCMP, or pay the Cape Breton Regional Police to do it.
At a recent meeting, a CBRM councillor used foul language to describe a lack of action from three local MLAs.
Premier Tim Houston says it was uncalled for.
“They work incredibly hard on behalf of their constituents every single day. It was unfair, they are hard working individuals that care about their community,” said Houston after Cabinet.
Houston says the CBRM needs to work with RCMP on a transition plan and get it to Justice Minister Barbara Adams by August 30.
He says all other municipalities pay to police highways in their own jurisdictions, and the CBRM is asking for something that no one else gets.
The Premier adds that safety and supervision of the highways will continue.
