Niagara Region council’s budget committee has recommended accepting the Niagara Regional Police (NRP) operating budget of $236.9 million for 2026, subject to final budget deliberations scheduled for Dec. 11 at regional headquarters in Thorold.

On that date, councillors will decide whether to fully accept an 11.5 per cent increase in policing costs as their goal of limiting this year’s regional budget increase to 3.5 per cent drifts further away with each passing week.

Council’s options with the police budget are limited to sending it back to the police services board for further cuts. Councillors can’t make line-item deductions themselves.

Police costs blow hole in Niagara Region budget

A 3.5 per cent guidance set by regional councillors in August will not be met with policing

If the

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