Ottawa police receive funding boost from federal government

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service will receive $3 million a year in federal funding over the next five years to cover “extraordinary policing costs” related to federal protests and events.

The Spring Economic Update outlines a five-year extension of the “Nation’s Capital Extraordinary Policing Costs Program,” with $3 million a year in funding from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

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According to the federal government’s website, the program allows the City of Ottawa to seek financial assistance from the government for “eligible extraordinary, reasonable and justifiable policing costs incurred in relation to policing duties specific to the nation’s capital.”

The program was first launched in the 2015-16 fiscal year following the terrorist attack at the National War Memorial and on Parliament Hill in October 2014.

A report for the Ottawa Police Service’s Board meeting on Monday said initial discussions were held with Public Safety Canada on an extension of the “Nation Capital Extraordinary Policing Cost Program.”

The announcement of an extension of the federal funding for Ottawa police to police federal protests and events comes after a dispute over funding for protests.

Staff said the federal government informed police last year that it would not be reimbursing OPS for the supplemental funding requests for costs associated with the demonstrations tied to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Police reported a $6.5 million budget shortfall in 2025 due to protests.

The 2024 federal budget included $50 million over five years for the Ottawa Police Service to boost its presence around the Parliamentary Precinct, which includes Wellington Street and Sparks Street.

As part of the Spring Economic Update, the government is also investing $75 million for the Canada Community Security Program over the next five years.

“Given a significant increase in police-reported hate crime in recent years, including incidents driven by Islamophobia and antisemitism and hate targeting LGBTQ+ communities, continued and enhanced support is needed to ensure communities at risk can respond to evolving security challenges,” the document said.

“This additional funding will allow the program to continue to help eligible organizations implement physical security enhancements and foster safer, more inclusive communities.”

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