City of Merritt Lobbies Province at UBCM

REQUEST TO ATTORNEY GENERAL: 

The City of Merritt requests criminal justice reform that ensures more convictions with enforceable conditions to protect victims and community safety.

Our communities are impacted by a justice system that too often prioritizes the rights of offenders over the safety of communities. Repeat offenders are routinely released with minimal consequences, leading to rising crime, public frustration, and a loss of confidence in the justice process. Our police and front-line responders are strained by the revolving door of arrests without meaningful accountability or rehabilitation.

We urge the Attorney General to implement criminal justice reform that results in more consistent convictions and enforceable conditions for accused and convicted individuals. Our residents are calling for action, and local governments are left to manage the public’s concerns without the tools or authority to deliver real change. Rural communities like Merritt face disproportionate challenges due to limited resources and service gaps, which exacerbate these issues.

The City of Merritt urges the Attorney General to prioritize justice reform that places public safety and victim rights at the forefront — strengthening bail conditions, enhancing sentencing, and ensuring real consequences for repeat and violent offenders. Municipalities must be meaningfully consulted to ensure reforms are practical, enforceable, and aligned with community needs.

REQUEST TO MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL

Seeking a means for provincial and local governments to modernize RCMP cost-sharing formulas, ensuring they reflect rising policing costs and municipal fiscal limitations.

The City of Merritt is requesting that the Province of British Columbia initiate a collaborative process to modernize the cost sharing formulas that govern municipal contributions to RCMP policing services. This request stems from mounting financial pressures faced by local governments, as inflation, rising costs for police equipment, and significant increases in officer compensation have made the current cost structures unsustainable over the long term.

Under the existing framework, municipalities are obligated to cover a substantial portion of RCMP-related expenses, yet they have no authority to influence or negotiate these rising costs. This lack of fiscal control places an undue burden on smaller communities like Merritt, which must balance public safety commitments with other critical local services — all within constrained municipal budgets.

Accordingly, the City of Merritt supports a resolution brought forward to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), asking the Province to collaborate with local governments in the development of a new RCMP funding model. This updated framework would aim to rebalance financial responsibilities by introducing a gradually increasing cost-share rate that reflects the evolving fiscal realities of policing, while recognizing the limited capacity of municipalities to absorb unchecked cost escalations.

REQUEST TO MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL

The City of Merritt is requesting increased provincial funding to fully support victim services programs and to fund a full-time local Victim Services worker.

The City of Merritt respectfully requests that the Province of British Columbia increase funding for Victim Services Programs. The current population-based funding model does not reflect the realities of smaller communities without Community-Based Programs, where the responsibility falls heavily on police-based units, which also manage additional duties like facilitating Integrated Case Assessment Teams (ICAT).

In Merritt, the RCMP Victim Services Unit manages every category of crime and traumatic incident. Unlike larger communities, there is no protocol to refer Intimate Partner Violence or sexual offence files to another agency. This results in a significantly higher workload for the local unit.

Limited funding also makes it difficult to recruit and retain qualified staff. Smaller communities are often forced to rely on volunteers and donations, creating instability and reducing the ability to deliver consistent support. In Merritt, one part-time Victim Services worker supports about 300 clients annually, far exceeding the City’s capacity to provide timely and comprehensive care.

The City of Merritt urges the Province, through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, to fully fund Victim Services Programs and provide dedicated funding for a full-time position locally. Strengthened support is essential to ensure victims across British Columbia receive the care and protection they need.

REQUEST TO MINISTER OF TOURISM, ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORT

As a key corridor connecting the Lower Mainland to the Interior, the City of Merritt would like to discuss leveraging the social and economic benefits of 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is projected to attract more than one million out-of-province visitors, generate over $1 billion in GDP, and create more than 18,000 jobs across British Columbia. With Vancouver hosting seven matches, this global tournament presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen tourism, support local economies, and leave a lasting legacy, particularly for youth and families.

The City of Merritt, as a key corridor between BC’s Lower Mainland and Interior regions, is well-positioned to support visitor overflow, share tourism experiences, and contribute to regional vibrancy. With our scenic landscape, diverse accommodations, and renowned outdoor recreation sector, Merritt offers an attractive and accessible stop for both domestic and international travellers.

To help ensure the benefits of FIFA 2026 are shared across the province, the City of Merritt respectfully requests provincial support to market Merritt as a travel destination during the tournament.

The City of Merritt seeks to host community events and celebrations tied to FIFA programming, develop youth sport and recreation initiatives inspired by the tournament’s themes, and be included in provincial travel itineraries, marketing campaigns, and partnership opportunities. With coordinated support, Merritt is ready to contribute meaningfully to British Columbia’s social and economic success during this historic event.

REQUEST TO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT

The City of Merritt requests the establishment of a Small Community Transit Service Fund to help rural communities maintain essential transit amid rising costs and limited local revenues.

The City of Merritt is calling on the Province of British Columbia to establish a dedicated Small Community Transit Service Fund to help address the rising costs of public transit in rural and small municipalities. Transit systems in these communities are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain due to escalating costs associated with vehicle operation, leasing, and maintenance. Unlike larger urban centres, small communities have limited tax bases and fewer revenue options, leaving them especially vulnerable to service reductions.

In Merritt, transit costs have climbed 280% over the last decade, while fares have only risen by about 2% per year. In 2025, the City already raised transit taxes by a substantial 34%. To sustain current service levels, transit taxes could rise 92% by 2027 — excluding any future improvements that remain unfunded.

Public transit is not a convenience but a necessity in communities like Merritt. To protect and strengthen these vital links, the City of Merritt supports a resolution to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) urging the Province to create a stable, predictable funding stream — above and beyond the existing small community transfer tax. A targeted Small Community Transit Service Fund would ensure that basic transit services can continue to operate in smaller centres, maintaining equitable access to transportation and supporting regional connectivity across British Columbia.