By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Jacques Demers, president of the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), is calling on the Quebec government to reinstate cost controls on Sûreté du Québec (SQ) services and implement greater accountability measures. Municipalities are struggling with skyrocketing policing costs following the expiration of a cost-control agreement at the end of 2024, with some facing increases exceeding 50 per cent.
The SQ funding model, established in 2009, previously ensured the provincial government paid 47 per cent of policing costs. This was adjusted over time to a 50-50 split between the government and municipalities, alongside a 7 per cent cap and 2 per cent floor on annual cost increases. Demers explained in a Jan. 16 interview, “These measures avoided large variations in costs and provided predictability for municipal budgets.” However, the expiration of these safeguards has led to significant financial pressure for municipalities.
“Since 2024, there is no cap on increases, which leads to significant disparities,” Demers said, highlighting how property valuations have compounded the issue. Municipalities with surging assessments are seeing costs soar. “For many municipalities, police services represent over 10 per cent of their budget. These increases are unsustainable,” he added. The Record has previously reported that some municipalities, like Cookshire and Hatley Township, have voiced concerns about their inability to manage these hikes, while others, like Stanstead, report improvements in service quality.
Demers proposes reinstating a ceiling and floor for cost increases—suggesting an 8-9 per cent cap and a 0-1 per cent floor. “This adjustment wouldn’t cost the government anything,” he explained. “It’s a way to distribute costs more equitably while avoiding sudden, overwhelming increases.” The measures would also provide stability for municipalities experiencing fluctuating property assessments.
Service quality has been another point of contention. While some municipalities report improvements, many complain about a lack of visible police presence despite increased costs. Demers acknowledged this widespread perception, saying, “People often feel they’re paying too much and not seeing enough officers. We hear this everywhere.” To address these concerns, he advocates for an independent auditor to review SQ operations, echoing the provincial government’s recent approach to public transit. “Municipalities pay 50 per cent of SQ’s costs but have no say in negotiations or verification of service quality,” he noted. “We want someone impartial to assess whether the budget is well-managed and whether the services promised are being delivered.”
According to Demers, staffing issues within the SQ exacerbate the problem. Many officers are unavailable due to sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, and other factors. “Municipalities need clarity on whether the promised number of officers is actually being deployed,” he said. “Right now, it’s hard to say.” He emphasized that having tangible data from a neutral verifier is crucial for addressing these concerns and moving beyond anecdotal impressions.
The FQM has also raised the issue of municipal involvement in SQ management. Demers criticized the current system, where municipalities are excluded from negotiations despite shouldering half the costs. “We’re not at the table when decisions are made, yet we’re expected to foot the bill,” he said. “An independent auditor could ensure transparency and accountability, just as the government has demanded of municipalities in public transit.”
Demers noted that some municipalities are attempting to address these issues through resolutions, but he emphasized that provincial action is necessary for meaningful change. “We need the government to act swiftly, ideally before the 2026 billing cycle,” he urged. Without intervention, he warned that municipalities could face severe financial strain, forcing them to cut other essential services or implement significant tax increases.
The FQM president’s proposals—reinstating a cap and floor on cost increases and introducing an independent auditor—aim to provide immediate relief while ensuring long-term accountability. “We’re not asking for the impossible,” Demers said. “We’re asking for fairness and transparency in a system that directly impacts municipal budgets and services.”
Despite varying perspectives on SQ service quality, Demers stressed the importance of data-driven decision-making. “We need to move past impressions and focus on facts,” he said. “That’s the only way to ensure municipalities are getting the services they’re paying for.” His call for reform reflects a broader push for accountability and collaboration between municipalities and the provincial government.