WHEN Mountie budgets were cut in the latter part of this last fiscal year as a result of- a systenxic screw-up by senior bras: in Ottawa, the locals were forced to tie up the patrol boats, ground the chop- pers and planes and even turn off their cell phones on days that weren’t free. A freeze was put on all “non-emergent” overtime. Concern about service reduc- tion to the public was inevitably voiced. Our erstwhile federal Solicitor General, the hapless Andy Scott, was put on the grill by opposition MPs for several days. Scott, who couldn’: keep his mouth shut at 20,000 fect and paid for his resulting lack of memory with his job, said at the time in response to the criticism, “there is no risk to public safety. I have every confidence in the RCMP?’s capacity to give Canada the same police protection they have for 125 years.” As April 1 approached marking the start of the new fiscal year, there was signiti- cant optimism that the new budget would address the needs of the RCMP and the belt could be let out to more comfortable levels. Especially in view of the record-setting budget surplus recorded by the fiscally prudent finance minister, Paul Martin, said to be the prime minister in wait- ing. Alas, this now appears not to be the case. The first sign of the fright- ening new trend shows itself in a March 29 memo emanat- ing trom the desk of assistant commissioner Raymond Mercier in Ortawa. In the memo obrained by the North Shore News, Mercier talks about making “difficult decisions” in the coming year and the need to cut 40 operational positions. “When there is no new money coming in, cuts must be made within the existing envelope to support the remaining positions,” said Mercier. Lo ¥ for the Traveller The Nosth Shore Branch of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. Tho next meeting will be held on § Monday, April 15th - 7:00pm at St. Johns Anglican Church - 220 | 4 West 8th St, Nostit Vancouvar. Wheelchair Accessible. Assis- } tive Listening Devices are available. : The program will fecture pre- J sentations on travel and other issues affecting hard of hear- ing individuals. Speakers will include ~ Colin _Cantlie, President of CHHA National, Cindy Horton of Infinity Travel | Concepts, and Hugh Hetherington from CHHA North Shore Branch talking about assistive devices to help with travel. there will be time for socializing and refres>- ments. Our meetings are open y to adults of all ages and alllev- | els of hearing loss. Friends and family members are most welcome to attend. For further info, please call Hugh 926-8049 or Fax 925-2266. crime and punishment He goes on to talk about “minimum impacts” when making changes involving cuts, bur “it will be impossi- ble t@ accomplish this without some impact on front-line ser- vice delivery.” Mercier indicates in the memo that final decisions on the cuts have vet to be made. However, he discusses some of the possibilities which include a reduction of officers in areas such as Countersurveillance, VIP Security and the Emergency Response Team. More concerning, perhaps, are the potential cuts, accord- ing to the memo, in Drug Section, Special “O” and Federal Enforcement — all sections involved in the fight against organized crime. Yet somehow, in a great leap of logic, Mercier tollows that up with the following starement: “These changes wilt also serve as an opportu- nity to better address our fight against organized crime, starting with the addition of a position in Commercial Crime to address high tech crime issues.” He goes on to trumpet “new specific funding for crimes against humanity will allow the addition of five PVG SS 2a OPM. positions to our War Crimes Uni.” What sense can we make of this? Now, leaving aside the potential political correctness of those last two paragraphs, it should be understood that Mercier is the commanding, officer of SA” Division, which is comprised of Ottawa, the capital region and the sur- rounding environs. But in the memo Mercier says, “each of the other sec: tors ... as well as °C" (Quebec) and “O" (the rest of Onrario) Divisions, are all faced with the same reduc- tions.” B.C. represents approxi- mately 30% of the manpower allocation of the RCMP. With the budgetary cutbacks referred to by Mercier in Central Canada which repre- sents approximately another 25%, is B.C. facing the same measures? The answer to that ques- tion proved hard to deter- mine. Locally, the Mounties are bracing for just such an event. “E” Division, as B.C. is known within the force, is already over 300 members short. Sources tel me that a plan exists at senior levels to artili- cially maintain the manpower shortfall at 500 to control the budget. Our of a toral strength of 4,000 this repre- sents over 12%, Understand this figure clearly when contemplating how the police force — our police force — can maintain the same service levels with more than 12% fewer people. Surrey detachment, along, with North Vancouver, con- sidered one of the “Big Five” postings, has been developing a program termed, in a won- derful example of bureau- cratese, “revision of differen: tial call response.” Now, English is my first language. And personally, I have a fairly good vocaburary. Individually, | understand the meaning of each of those words. But really, what does “revision of differential call response” mean? After a few phone calls, the meaning became clear. Surrey is trying to Uetermine just which calls from the pub- lic the police used to respond to will be treated differently. In other words, the public can expect reduced service levels from the police, The problem is created because the local Mounties are granted their budget from the federal Treasury Board. The faceless bureaucratic bean-counters in Ortawa, who wouldn’t know a home inva- sion from a gang shooting, determine what resources should be allocated in British Columbia to fight crime. In order to get fiscal increases, the RCMP manage- ment have to present “busi- Ness case arguments” to Treasury. Doesn’t that just give you a warm, fuzzy, safe feeling all over? The Mercier memo dares speak of'a reduction in service levels. A realistic fact the Liberal government refuses to acknowledge publicly. He may be sp. aking about Doctors’ actions constitute a strike Dear Editor: Re: doctors’ closures. In a March 17 page 3 News story, a Katharine Hammer story states that ... “a dispute over provincial health-care funding has forced (my italics) family doctors to close their offices Who forced them? Does she use the same term when ferry workers threaten the ferry sys- tem? This is a strike, pure and simple, and :he M. Morgan 1. Join Weight Watchers naw for $28.00. 2. lose weight for summer on 1e2¢3 Success. out easiest plan ever because you can eat any food you crave. 3 Geta hee beauty and fashion guide. “Celebrate the New You.” “HAVE YOU BEEN TO WEIGHT WATCHERS?” Free Guide bottom line is money — like I want more so the heck with you. Let’s call a spade a spade. North Vancouver. aimorgan@web.nect While quantities last. Join now for $28.00. Call 434=2134 for more information. For your conveniet North Shore Winter Club (North Shore/Mt. Seymour) 1325 E. Keith Road & Mountain Hwy. (Upstairs) Monday 5:00 pri & 6:30 pri Wednesday 9:00 arm ©1999 Wewht nee. registration ard weigh-in begin at the times listed below. ‘The meetng starts one-half hour later North Vancouver 104-4 Marine Drive Tuesday S/E 8-45 am Tuesday 9:30 «am. 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm Wednesday 5:06 pm Thursday 12.00 noon. 5.00 pri & 6:30 pm Friday 9:00 am Saturday S/E-8:15 am Saturday 9:00 am & 12:00 noon Royal Canadian Legion (West Vancouver) 580 §8th Street Wednesday 12:00 noon Vaket at par cpating tocations for a himited time. Subsequent weekly fees apply. GST not included. Atcbers International nc, Ouner of the WEIGHT WATCHERS trademark All nght. reserved. lice effect Wednesday, April 14, 1999 — North Shore News — 7 what is happening in Ortawa, but make no mistake about it, his words ring as true here in your neighbourhood. Now, undoubtedly, the actions and decisions by Mercier are being forced upon him by the Liberal gov- ernment, With record surplus reserves, the Libs are holding back on funding to the RCMP. While this may be arguably laudable in tough economic times, such as were faced when the Liberals took iIVENESS over from the cash-strapped Conservatives in 1992, it is unconscionable to withhold appropriate funding and resources when there is avail- able money. The protection of the citi- zenry should be the first pri- ority of the government. Efficient and appropriate management of allocated resources should be the first duty of senior police manage- ment. 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