N.B. mayor hopes federal RCMP funding rumours true

The Mayor of Riverview, N.B., says it will be a great day for his community if reports of more federal money for policing are true.

For years, three New Brunswick municipalities have been asking Ottawa to include them in a 10 per cent subsidy given to other communities across Canada policed by the RCMP.

The last contract between the province and the federal government was signed in 1992, before the Mounties took over policing in Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe.

That meant they didn't qualify for the subsidy. New contracts are now being negotiated.

Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland said the money would be welcome.

"Having the issue of policing settled is a big thing, because that's been up in the air for a longtime," Sweetland said.

"Moncton had been saying if they don't get this10 per cent we're going to go with our own police force. That would leave us out in the field to decide whether we want to go back to RCMP or go with our own policing."

The three communities spend about $25 million per year to have RCMP policing.Ottawa won't confirm it is part of the new contract.

"Not only is it the financial aspect of it, which is beneficial to us, but hopefully it will resolve the issue of policing, and Codiac policing, as far as the Greater Moncton Area is concerned," Sweetland said Saturday.

A spokesperson for federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said in an email to CBC News that a deal has been presented to the province that Ottawa believes is fair.