Dragon delight
Thousands turn out for dragon boat festival Page A3
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VICTORIANEWS Wednesday, August 21, 2013
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Police talks hit stalemate Dragged out negotiations ‘unacceptable,’ says Esquimalt mayor
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
End of an era Magician and shop owner Murray Hadfield does a floating card trick inside his soon to be closed store, Murray’s Trick and Joke Shop on Broughton Street. For the story, please turn to page A9.
Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin declined to comment, citing ongoing negotiations. Newly appointed Justice Minister Suzanne Anton was unavailable for comment, but a ministry spokesperson said the province remains confident an agreement will be reached and that Daniel Palmer Anton won’t be intervening at this time. News staff The spokesperson was unable to proIt’s been more than a year since Vic- vide a deadline for negotiations. “The progress is being monitored toria and Esquimalt sat down to hash out a policing framework agreement, closely as ministry staff continue to supa delay Esquimalt’s mayor is calling port this process to ensure both sides have had the opportunity to express “beyond belief.” The framework agreement is part of a their concerns,” the spokesperson said. mandated process set out in June 2012 “There has been considerable progress in most areas … and we are by then-B.C. justice minister confident that both municiShirley Bond, when Esquipalities will receive approprimalt was told to stick with ate levels of policing.” police services provided by The Victoria-Esquimalt the Victoria Police Departpolicing framework agreement despite the township’s ment is largely considdesire to contract RCMP serered the first step towards vices. regional policing in Greater While stakeholders in proVictoria, a model recomvincial and municipal govmended by missing women ernments anticipated the inquiry commissioner Wally resulting negotiations would Oppal for both the Capital be contentious – the prov- Barb Desjardins Region and Metro Vancouince agreed to fund a mediator for the process – no one expected ver. The Justice Ministry is currently talks to drag on 13 months, said Esquiundertaking a provincewide review of malt Mayor Barb Desjardins. “We are almost going into the next policing services and policies, includbudget cycle and that is beyond belief ing the explorations of “further intethat we would still be here,” she said. gration of services, while at the same “It’s really unacceptable to both com- time retaining local community-focused policing.” munities.” Public input for the B.C. Policing Both parties have been unable to come to terms on the deployment of and Community Safety Plan is being police services and a shared funding accepted until Aug. 31 at bit.ly/1acRlkA formula, Desjardins said, calling the or by emailing bcpolicingplan@gov. bc.ca. negotiations “complicated.” The review is expected to be com“We want to make sure we get in this process what the community has said pleted by March 2015. they want for policing,” she said. dpalmer@vicnews.com
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