RCMP policing costs became a major topic during recent Town of St. Paul budget and financial discussions, with councillors calling for greater transparency about what local policing actually costs taxpayers and questioning whether rural communities like St. Paul are bearing an unfair financial burden.

During the review of the Town’s audited financial statements, council noted that protective services costs totalled roughly $3.3 million in 2025, with more than $2 million of that amount tied directly to RCMP policing expenses.

Councillors raised concerns that residents reviewing the Town’s financial statements currently see only a broad “protective services” category, without a clear breakdown of how much is specifically related to policing.

“It would be nice to see what the policing cost of the town is,” one councillor said during the discussion.

Administration explained the Town already tracks policing separately in monthly variance reports, including:

• RCMP contract costs
• municipal detachment staffing
• fingerprinting services
• office supplies
• administrative support costs tied to the detachment

Council discussed adding a separate policing line item in future audited financial statements to improve public understanding of where tax dollars are being spent.

“It just helps paint a better picture,” another councillor said.

The discussion expanded into broader frustrations over the provincial RCMP funding model and how costs are distributed among municipalities.

Administration explained that communities above certain population thresholds are responsible for significantly higher policing and infrastructure costs, including detachment buildings built to RCMP specifications.

Nearby municipalities such as Vegreville and Bonnyville were cited during the discussion as points of comparison.

“There’s no way around it. It’s terrible. The worst deal,” one councillor said regarding the current model.

Council also discussed how some neighbouring municipalities pay less due to staffing levels, agreements with surrounding counties or differences in population thresholds.

At one point, the frustration prompted a joking comment from around the council table.

“Start lying on your census data. Get under 5,000 people,” a councillor remarked, drawing laughter from those in attendance.

Despite the humour, councillors agreed the issue reflects broader concerns about rural municipalities carrying growing costs for policing, infrastructure and public safety services while having limited control over the provincial funding formula.

The discussion came during broader conversations surrounding the Town’s 2026 operating budget, reserves and proposed tax rate adjustments.