Ladysmith’s mayor says the review of an independent E-Comm 911 has created significant financial pressure for the municipality.
According to a statement from mayor Deena Beeston, she says the current model, and assessment by the province, is fragmented and no longer sustainable for local governments.
“The Town of Ladysmith has consistently opposed the downloading of RCMP E-Comm 911 costs onto island municipalities like ours without prior consultation,” she says. “This approach has created uncertainty for local governments and added financial pressures that are increasingly difficult to manage.”
She has called on the province to create a more ‘coordinated, province-wide approach’ to ensure reliable, resilient and financially stable emergency communication is in place across BC.
The town says they’re ready to work with the province and regional partners to support a more sustainable provincial system to meet the needs of municipalities across the island and province.
