Montreal to renew police coordination funding

Summary#

Montréal city council adopted a position supporting a five-year renewal of funding from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) to take part in the Équipe intégrée de coordination des disparitions et enlèvements (EICDE, integrated team for coordinating missing-person and abduction cases). The goal, as described by city staff, is to continue the SPVM’s role in coordinating these cases. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.

  • The city’s position is to accept a maximum SQ grant of $5,643,000 for April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2030.
  • It would keep six temporary authorized police positions for the same period.
  • The SPVM director would be authorized to sign an agreement setting out the grant’s administrative and financial terms.
  • The position includes an additional 2025 budget of $846,450 in both revenue and expenses, plus adjustments to the budget base for later years.

What it means for you#

  • Residents: City staff describe the EICDE’s work as coordinating and following cases involving missing people, including runaways; abductions; unidentified deceased people; and human remains. Staff say the SPVM’s role covers its own territory and the province.
  • SPVM: The proposed renewal would keep six temporary police positions assigned to this work. Staff describe the EICDE as a 15-person team, including six SPVM police officers.
  • The agglomeration: Staff say the agglomeration would bear the expenses because policing is an agglomeration responsibility. The SQ grant would offset part, but not all, of the projected costs.

Money#

The materials project $6,706,600 in expenses and a maximum SQ contribution of $5,643,000 over the funding period.

  • The projected difference, $1,063,600, is not covered by the grant. City staff say it is expected to be funded through savings from managing vacant positions, and that the effect on the SPVM’s salary budget will be presented in budget updates.
  • Staff say the 2025 budget addition and later budget-base adjustments have no impact on the city’s financial framework. They also identify a risk to the SPVM’s salary budget.
  • The materials do not provide a separate estimate of the grant’s final amount or of any additional costs beyond the projections.

What is unclear#

  • The proposed SQ agreement, which would set the detailed terms for paying the grant, is not included.
  • It is unclear whether the full maximum grant will be paid, or how the shortfall would be handled if savings from vacant positions are not enough.
  • The materials do not explain how the six temporary positions would be staffed or how their work would be divided within the 15-person team.

Case for#

  • City staff say continuing the team would support coordination among the SPVM, the SQ and other Québec police forces.
  • Staff say the team could help improve handling of emotionally difficult cases and maintain contact between families and the investigator responsible.
  • The grant would fund much of the projected expense while allowing the SPVM to continue its role.

Case against#

  • The projected expenses exceed the maximum grant by $1,063,600, leaving the SPVM relying on savings from vacant positions.
  • Staff identify a risk to the SPVM’s salary budget, but the materials do not show how that risk would be managed if the expected savings do not materialize.
  • The materials describe expected benefits, but do not provide measures for assessing whether the renewed arrangement improves case coordination or service to families.