Stratford disappointed by Ottawa’s decision regarding unbudgeted costs with latest RCMP agreement

The Town of Stratford calls the federal government’s decision to pass on to municipalities the unbudgeted and unaccounted for costs associated with the latest RCMP collective bargaining agreement, disappointing.  Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden emphasizes that Stratford’s disappointment is in no way directed to the individual members of the RCMP, but rather with the federal government negotiating the agreement without municipalities at the table or giving them a say in the process.  He says the cost estimates provided to some municipalities were far below the final agreement’s increase over six years, with retroactive pay going back to 2017.  Mayor Ogden says the cost to the Town of Stratford with the retroactive payments is expected to be around $188,000 – and without being able to carry a deficit, those funds will affect program, service and infrastructure plans previously passed in the Town’s budget.