Municipalities in BC are aware that they would be required to pay RCMP retroactive wages. Municipal councils across the province, have been expecting to pay the bill.  In Smithers, town council was surprised by the amount.

While the town of Smithers staff were aware of this increase and retroactive pay, taxation of residents increased allowing the town to pay the invoice once it was due on May 15th, 2023.

In a March 2023 town council meeting in Smithers, an invoice was presented by Mayor Gladys Atrill to the amount of $254, 147. Councillor Frank Wray said that he thought "the amount was jarring", and believed that the federal government was going to assist communities with payment.

The federal government has not offered any support to municipalities, and so while the invoice was not a complete shock, Councillor Wray voiced the concern many Smithereens shared online.

In 2017, the National Police Federation was given the right to collective bargaining for wage increases. Some RCMP constables were approved for a $20,000 yearly salary increase, while all municipalities (who pay for their own RCMP detachment) were told to pay the feds their agreed-upon increase (settled at a 23.77% increase) beginning April of 2023.

The invoice of $254,147 however, was to pay retroactively for the Smithers' RCMP detachment officer's salaries from the time the government began negotiating.

Listen to Pamela's interview with Councillor Wray in the link provided.