Coquitlam council members say they'll use a workshop this week in Whistler to speak with other Lower Mainland politicians about the new RCMP contract.
And some want to talk about the possibility of a municipal police force.
On Monday, Coquitlam council deferred its decision to renew its contract with the Mounties, saying instead it wanted to get a better picture from delegates at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) conference on how they feel about the deal.
The conference, which ends today (Friday), is attended by hundreds of politicians and civic staff.
While Coquitlam councillors say they're not unhappy with the work at the local RCMP detachment, a few voiced concern about gaps in the new contract, especially dealing with costs - in particular, the price tag for the new E-Division headquarters in Surrey and wage increases for Mounties.
Surrey, which has the largest detachment in Canada, has already signed on to the contract but many other councils, including those in Richmond and North Vancouver District, have delayed their decisions as they have similar concerns to Coquitlam's, said Coun. Selina Robinson, who called for the deferral.
"I would rather take the time to get our questions answered rather than sign off and say, 'What about this? What about that?'" she said. "I'm not ready to sign on the dotted line."
Coun. Lou Sekora pointed to the RCMP's financial plan, which shows an 11.4% hike over five years. Sekora also suggested the city consider holding a referendum to gauge residents' opinions on forming a city police force, as in Port Moody.
But Mayor Richard Stewart said there challenges and costs associated with having a city police force.
"A municipal police is enormously expensive," Stewart said. "You speak to some of the mayors who have municipal police forces - including one not far from here - and they'll say the grass may look greener on that side but it isn't necessarily reality.
"In the end, the last time we looked at it, it was millions of dollars more per year," he said.
Added Coun. Linda Reimer, "We've heard citizens complain about our tax increases. They're really going to be complaining if we go with a municipal police force.... I think we get very good value for our dollar with the RCMP."
Municipalities have until May 31 to ratify the RCMP contract but, so far, only about 12 of 62 councils have signed on.
Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, who was the civic observer in negotiating the new policing contract and will chair the contract management committee, said holdout cities are effectively giving notice they will terminate the RCMP in two years and switch to a municipal force.
And he said an extended delay in signing could result in holdout cities forfeiting their federal subsidy, which is 10% for large cities.
The city of Port Coquitlam, which shares the local detachment with Coquitlam, has asked the provincial and federal governments for a further extension - until June 30 - to consider the contract.
"This extension will allow us time to take the due diligence required prior to signing a 20-year agreement that affects a significant portion of our budget," said city spokesperson Pardeep Purewal.
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