OTTAWA,
ON, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Following is a
statement from Brian Sauvé, President, and CEO of the National
Police Federation, in response to the Federal Government's 2024
Budget, tabled today:
National Police Federation Responds to
Federal Budget 2024-2025
"This afternoon, Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, tabled Budget 2024 entitled
"Fairness for every generation" which primarily focuses on
alleviating the housing crisis and making life more affordable for
Canadians.
While there are some new public safety initiatives, we are
disappointed to see the lack of investments to ensure our Members
have what they need to keep pace with Canadians of every
generation's policing needs, including human resources. Communities
across Canada are growing, and the
nature of crime is evolving. This government has not been listening
to Canadians, provincial contracting partners, and the many
recently released government and third-party reports calling for
more RCMP resources and a sustained commitment to long term funding
of the RCMP to meet its mandate.
The National Police Federation (NPF) has been working hard to
see the RCMP remain a competitive and attractive employer for
aspiring and current officers. In 2021, the NPF negotiated its
first-ever collective agreement for Members of the RCMP, which saw
Member wages increase to be comparable to other police services
across Canada.
This accomplishment, coupled with the NPF's efforts with the
RCMP, to change, expand, and implement recruitment programs over
the past two years has resulted in a marked increase in applicants
nationally over the past year to over 14,450. We have enhanced the
Experienced Police Officer program, and as a result, last year, saw
over 600 officers from other police services, the military, and
other public safety agencies join the RCMP. Other initiatives
include the implementation of pre-posting agreements for cadets
wishing to return to their home province upon graduation.
But more needs to be done to ensure that the RCMP is well
resourced to meet the changing nature of crime. We will continue to
advocate on behalf of our Members to ensure that their needs and
the public safety needs of all Canadians are met."
About the National Police
Federation:
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP
Members serving across Canada and
internationally. It is the largest police union in Canada and the second largest in North America. We are focused on improving
public safety in Canada for our
Members and all Canadians by advocating for investment in policing
and other related supports and services. This includes calling for
required resourcing, equipment, and supports to enhance community
safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small,
across Canada.
For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/
NPF:
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SOURCE National Police Federation