Sudbury letter: Do they mean something different when they say lean?

Re: ‘ Sudbury’s police board approves “lean” budgets for 2026 and 2027 ,’ Oct. 15.

Greater Sudbury’s police budget for 2026 and 2027 was approved with 12.6 and 8.4 per cent annual increases. Sure, excuses were given for the giant increases, labelled as “unavoidable,” just like the double-digit increases given every year.

The increases were described as “lean.” I don’t know on what planet double-digit increases are lean; certainly, no planet I have ever been to.

Whenever I see pictures of Sara Cunningham, our police chief, I never hear a word she has to say. All I can think of is her salary ($255,000 in 2024), plus benefits and pension (more than $18,000 in 2024.)

If you want lean policing costs, look to Europe, where police ride two up in small cars, not one up in a giant SUV. Poli