Heritage Minister and Tri-City MP James Moore has an opportunity to save the day for the RCMP in British Columbia if he can play the role of conciliatory intervener in the current federal-provincial imbroglio over contract negotiations.
By playing Dudley Do-Right, the heroic Mountie, to the federal government's Snidely Whiplash, Moore may be able to raise the legitimate concerns of provincial and municipal leaders and gain a deal acceptable to all parties.
He surely understands the concerns of municipal and provincial leaders who shoulder the burden of policing costs and want more say in approving new expenses. Moore appeared to concede as much in a speech to the Union of B.C. Municipalities last week, when he insisted the federal government wants to "work together" to cement a deal.
By stepping in, Moore can present B.C.'s case to the federal government, which has to this point appeared to be taking a hard-line stance in negotiations. With Alberta renewing its RCMP contract through to 2032, B.C. would seem to be on its in own negotiations and is threatening to replace the RCMP with a provincial police force.
But the stakes are higher in B.C., where 70% of policing is done by the RCMP compared to 42% in Alberta.
Never a shrinking-violet, Premier Christy Clark isn't backing down on the issue of accountability, and why should she?
But more detail is required to establish that it would be cheaper to build a new force from scratch. Alberta did such a study in 2003, and figured the costs would be higher, although there are other issues to be concerned about other than money.
Think reversing the HST decision is difficult? Imagine trying to get a new police force going while still maintaining the integrity of all the files, old, current and new.
It would be a challenge and the premier knows this, and has indicated a willingness to get back to the negotiating table. Perhaps, with Moore as a go-between, B.C. can get a fair deal that will last for the next decade and beyond.
