“I look forward to renewing our partnership with the RCMP,” said Minister Sherry. “The RCMP and its members have always provided excellent policing service to the people of Prince Edward Island.”

“Today is a significant milestone for RCMP Contract Policing,” said Federal Minister Vic Toews. “I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island have reached an agreement that will continue the relationship between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the people of Prince Edward Island for the next two decades.”

The RCMP is currently responsible for policing all communities in Prince Edward Island except the cities of Charlottetown and Summerside, and the towns of Borden-Carleton and Kensington. It has provided provincial policing since 1932, and is responsible for policing services to nearly 90,000 of the Island’s 140,000 permanent residents, encompassing approximately 95% of the land mass.

The new agreement came into effect on April 1, 2012, and maintains the 70-30 cost-share arrangement with Ottawa.

Negotiations between the Government of Canada and all contract provinces and territories had been ongoing for almost four years before arriving at an agreement. The new agreement addresses key issues raised by the provinces and territories, including governance, accountability, program sustainability and cost containment.