Moncton holds public forum on RCMP's future

Moncton residents will be asked at a public meeting on Monday night whether the city should continue with a regional RCMP detachment or if it should adopt a new system.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said he believes it's the most important decision the city will make. Council is ponderingwhether to keep the regional RCMP force, go with a Moncton-only detachment or return to a municipal force.

Moncton has spent $170,000 studying the options for local police services available to the city.

The mayor said it's time to make a decision and move forward.

"Some think we've taken too long but by the same token, given the importance of the decision, I think people would expect us to take our time, be very prudent and make the right decision," LeBlanc said,

At Monday night's meeting, all of the information that's been gathered by the city will be presented to the public.

LeBlanc said a new cost-sharing agreement with Dieppe and Riverview will also be revealed.

"We will have the numbers clearly on the table this evening and I'd like to know how people feel about that there are financial implications whichever way we go," LeBlanc said.

When Moncton council voted to pull out of the Codiac Regional RCMP agreement earlier this year, it was argued that it was too expensive for Moncton taxpayers because Dieppe and Riverview are not paying their fair share.

The average cost of RCMP service in Moncton for a $140,000 home is $467, while it's only $387 in Riverview and $245 in Dieppe, according to city officials.

The only wildcard in the discussion is the federal government.

The mayor and council are waiting for a decision on a 10 per cent rebate for RCMP services.

LeBlanc said the impact citizens have on the final decision will depend on how many people turn up.