Statement by Mayor Brian Smith on the Province Providing Over $1 Million to Offset Town's OPP Costs

WASAGA BEACH – Today Mayor Brian Smith issued the following statement, welcoming news that the Ontario government will be offsetting OPP cost increases for small and rural municipalities including the Town of Wasaga Beach:

“The Town of Wasaga Beach welcomes the news that the Ford government will be offsetting OPP cost increases for small and rural municipalities, including the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Faced with a 23 per cent increase in its bill from the OPP in 2025, this Council took swift action. We passed a motion calling on our neighbouring municipalities, and communities across the province, to join us in asking the province to pay for and carefully review these increased policing costs. We spoke with local, regional and national media. We introduced a motion at County Council calling on Simcoe County to consider a feasibility study for a countywide policing service, and we raised our concerns at the provincial level.

Together, our collective actions worked. 

The province heard our concerns and as a result of Friday’s announcement by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Town is pleased to welcome just over $1,060,000 million in financial relief to cover these OPP cost increases. 

This will ensure that our Council can continue to move forward with a lower 3.96% tax increase in 2025, instead of the 5.6% increase that would have been necessary had the province not covered these OPP cost increases.

The Town of Wasaga Beach is also pleased that the province will be examining options for reviewing the OPP billing model to ensure that it meets the needs of communities across the province.

This Council looks forward to continue working with the province. We will continue to advocate for a long-term policing solution that works for the families and hard-working residents of Wasaga Beach."

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