2024 Budget Spotlight #3 – Protective Services

From August to December, the Municipality will publish bi-weekly articles to inform residents and provide insight into the roles of each Municipal department and how your tax dollars are being spent.

As they are released, all Spotlight topics can be found here: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-hall/budget-spotlights.aspx.

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Protective Services oversees:

• Fire and Police

• By-law Enforcement

• Emergency Management

• Animal Control

Fire and Police

Police services are provided by the Ontario Provincial Police. The Police Services Act legislates policing in Ontario and authorizes the OPP to provide:

• Crime prevention

• Law enforcement

• Assistance for victims of crime

• Public order maintenance

In 2023, the OPP have responded to 1,149 calls in Mississippi Mills, surpassing the five-year average for service calls.

The Mississippi Mills Fire Department (MMFD), which includes Station 1 in Almonte and Station 2 in Pakenham has. So far in 2023, MMFD has responded to 132 calls for service. The top three incidents are:

• False fire calls – 19

• Property fires/explosions – 18

• Public hazard – 16

For more on Emergency Services, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/emergency-services.aspx.

By-law Enforcement

The Municipality responds on a complaint driven basis for By-law enforcement. Residents with concerns about property standards, noise, winter parking or other miscellaneous by-law infractions are encouraged to file a formal complaint with the Municipality.

So far in 2023, By-law has filled 293 complaints, including:

• 105 complaints for parking issues
• 82 complaints for animal control
• 30 complaints for property standards

For more on By-law Enforcement, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-hall/by-law-enforcement.aspx.

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act requires Ontario Municipalities to implement a mandatory emergency management program.

Mississippi Mills has a Municipal Emergency Control Management Group which meets regularly to direct the Municipality’s response in the event of an emergency and implements the Municipality’s Emergency Response Plan.

Animal Control

The Municipality’s animal control regulations are based on the consolidated By-law 14-21. For more information on animal control services, visit: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/municipal-services/animal-control-services.aspx. 

2024 Budget

The draft 2024 Budget includes the following equipment and capital upgrades for Protective Services:

• Replacement of the 2007 pumper at MMFD Station 2 in Pakenham - $900,000

• 8 sets of bunker gear, boots and gloves for fire department – $36,000

• 20 lengths of high vault hose for fire department – $22,000

• 8 sets of water rescue suits, helmets, life jackets and rope – $30,000