The mayor of a Quebec city that borders Ontario says the potential closure of its provincial police station can be an “immeasurable loss.”
Alain Gauthier, mayor of Temiscaming, Que., which is positioned off the Ottawa River and is roughly 67 kilometres from North Bay, Ont., mentioned in a information launch Friday public security “can’t be managed from tons of of kilometres away.”
Gauthier’s assertion comes amid a latest Sûreté du Québec’s (SQ) announcement indicating it may probably cut back police companies in a number of areas, together with Temiscaming, to deal with a $120-million price range lower.
“Native realities have to be thought-about in each determination that impacts the protection of our residents,” Gauthier mentioned.
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“The lack of our officers’ group involvement and the discount of prevention efforts can be an immeasurable loss. It will be a shortsighted saving.”
SQ was requested by the provincial authorities to steadiness its price range, however when information broke of its plan, Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière mentioned in a submit on X it will be rejected.
“The protection of our communities is and can stay a precedence for our authorities,” he mentioned in French, including he expects a brand new plan from the SQ.
Temiscaming occupies a “strategic place” by way of public security, the city mentioned within the launch. Points regarding interprovincial journey, drug trafficking and property crimes require a relentless and steady police presence, it added.
Lately, the city mentioned it has confronted a number of administrative choices with “severe penalties,” together with an 80 per cent discount in wildlife officers regardless of the significance of searching, fishing and out of doors recreation within the motive.
Temiscaming is requesting or not it’s included in discussions with the SQ and different leaders over its price range discussions.
“That is the gradual drip torture that successive governments have imposed on us. When cuts are made to important public companies equivalent to well being or security, the very vitality of our areas is in danger,” Gauthier mentioned.
“For each service misplaced or relocated, households, seniors, and weak residents go away. These authorities choices have turn out to be, on their very own, the best menace to the vitality of our territories.”
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