Police incur $9 million in costs for policing major events and demonstrations in Ottawa in 2024

The sign outside Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa police spent more than $9 million policing major events and demonstrations in Ottawa last year, including Canada Day, demonstrations related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the visit by the French prime minister last April.

A report for the Ottawa Police Services Board outlines the spending by the service in 2024, with police posting a $600,000 budget deficit last year.

Staff say the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) experienced $9.4 million in budget pressures due to events and demonstrations.

“The OPS has experienced significant expenditure pressures due to major events and demonstrations that occurred throughout the course of the year,” says the report, submitted by Chief Eric Stubbs.

“The ongoing efforts to implement a robust approach to the planning and deployment of police for these activities incurs significant costs. Surge capacity costs of assisting partner police services, alongside overtime and non-compensation costs throughout the duration of the events are the primary cost drivers.”

The report notes Ottawa police are establishing a permanent Events Management team, with civilian logistics positions, that will plan and manage events and demonstrations to ensure “community safety prior to, during and after events and demonstrations.”

The report says the federal government is expected to reimburse police $11.9 million for costs incurred for policing large demonstrations and events in 2023 and 2024.

Police are finalizing a $50 million, five-year funding model with the federal government to assist with the demands on the Ottawa Police Service for policing the capital. The funding will allow the Ottawa Police Service to establish the new Parliamentary Policing District, which will feature 40 officers.

The 2024 financial status report shows Ottawa police experienced $26.7 million in financial pressures and revenue shortfalls in 2024, including $9.4 million for policing events and demonstrations, $7.8 million for overtime costs and $1.2 million for revenue shortfalls.

“The increased volume and magnitude of events and demonstrations remained the largest pressure to the OPS budget. In addition, overtime worked by members continues to increase due to vacancies and the robust approach required for event management,” staff say in the report.

The report shows police found $26 million in budget savings, including $5.8 million through job vacancies and more than $15 million in federal and provincial funding.

“Offsetting these pressures were savings found in salary and wages from vacancies during the year,” says the report.

“With an increase in the number of recruit classes and OPS’ efforts to stabilize its staffing, significant hiring efforts have been focused on addressing ongoing vacancies. OPS’ vacancy savings has decreased from $7M in 2023 to $5.8M in 2024. Once more vacant positions are filled, the OPS will have limited flexibility in future budgets to absorb pressures.”

In addition to the new federal funding for the Parliamentary Policing Model, the Ontario government is providing $48 million over three years to the service.