Blake Ellis/The Independent

Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen is wondering if it is time for the province to take care of policing for municipalities.

Most municipalities in Lambton County are facing increasing policing expenses in 2024 of about 15 per cent. Oil Springs is no exception. 

This led Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen to talk to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey about the skyrocketing costs. The province is setting aside $77 million to be split among Ontario municipalities. Oil Springs is expecting as much as a $17,000 increase to its policing costs. 

Policing costs for Oil Springs was just over $109,000 in 2024, said Veen. Oil Springs Clerk Martha Gawley said the village has not received word yet on how much Oil Springs will receive of the $77 million. 

Veen said Bailey will be looking into his concerns. Oil Springs is not the only small community which is dealing with these increased costs, said Veen, so he is waiting to see what will happen.  

“Maybe it is time for Ontario to take control of policing,” said Veen at the Dec. 3 Oil Springs council meeting, a sentiment he conveyed to Bailey. 

“Small communities just can’t afford it.”