Policing for Powell River is expected to cost a lot more sooner than later.
The province expects Powell River’s population to surpass 15,000 this year, triggering an increase in the city’s cost sharing for police in 2027 from 70 per cent to 90 per cent.
In a Dec. 8, 2025 letter, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General projects the population will be 15,328 in 2026, with the increase taking effect in April 2027.
While it’s a projection, this year’s census will be the deciding factor. Results of the 2026 census wouldn’t be available until sometime in 2027. If the census shows a population of more than 15,000, the increase wouldn’t take effect until April 2028.
The city’s cost would jump from about $200,000 to around $1 million or about a 4 to 5 per cent increase in property taxes. The latest report from Acting Chief Financial Officer Ken Bjorgaard says the property tax impact would be 3.73 per cent.
Council decided last month to change its five year budget plan to reflect the increase sooner.
It hadn’t expected to deal with the increased cost until 2031.
Councillor George Doubt says it’s better to be prepared.
“Because if we prepare and it doesn’t happen, we’re going to be happy, smiley people. And if we don’t prepare and it does happen we’re going to be unhappy and (sic) unsmiley. So preparing makes a lot of sense to me,” Doubt said.
Councillor Rob Southcott says this just adds to the city’s fiscal challenges.
“This is a little dismaying actually. The previous information gave me the impression we weren’t going to have to address this until 2031 and I think that information was based on the most recent census that was done. So, obviously there’s some new information that the province has come across to send us this letter,” Southcott said.
The city will also look at RCMP staffing levels to stem the increase.
