Discussions about the new Greater Sudbury Police Service headquarters have been going on for years, but the estimated cost of the project, estimated at $170 million, was only recently made public.

The news follows the approval of major municipal infrastructure projects like the $200 million arena and the $65 million cultural hub.

It also came as the city plans to cut about $7 million from programs and services to avoid having to increase the tax levy by 7.3 percent this year.

These developments have fueled calls to divert funds from police departments.

For some, it comes down to concerns about higher taxes, while others argue the money could be better spent elsewhere — including on housing that could help address mental health and substance abuse issues.

The petition aims to “start a dialogue”

When Greater Sudbury resident and social services student Frankie Krauss found out about the estimated $170 million price tag for the new police headquarters, they started a petition.

“I hope this starts a dialogue,” Krauss said. “If the city were to spend $170 million on anything, I think they could find a way to support community organizations.”

They say the GSPS budget has increased significantly in recent years, from $63 million in 2020 to a projected $83 million in 2025.

The police used the extra money hire more gendarmes and specialized personnelto respond to a growing number of calls for service, some of which concern mental health and addictions.

The petition started by Krauss argues that what would be spent on the new headquarters should instead be spent on housing programs.

“If there were more adequate mental health services, it would probably reduce the number of calls (to police),” Krauss said.

The Black Lives Matter Sudbury collective supported the petition as part of a campaign called Homes Not Handcuffs.

“Having more police officers does not equate to a safer community,” said President Ra’anaa Ekundayo.

“We need to dedicate resources to other areas, like mental health, food programs and supervised consumption sites.”

Ekundayo says that while these services are the responsibility of the provincial government, this should not be “an excuse for the municipality to turn a blind eye and focus on maintaining order.”

The collective has long campaigned for reductions in police services in favor of community programs.

“We are a community. We take care of ourselves,” Ekundayo said

“It is sometimes difficult for us to be in rooms with these changemakers,” they added. “It is…clear that our voices are not being heard.”

Greater Sudbury resident and homeowner Mickey McIntosh says he wants city council to avoid approving other long-term infrastructure projects for now.

“I understand the police want a more centralized location, but with the money we’ve already borrowed for the arena and other projects, I think they can get by with what they have.”

“I think it’s too much debt for us to take on right now.”

Existing facilities are in ruins, says Sudbury Police Association

Matt Hall, president of the Sudbury Police Association, says the current police headquarters is starting to fail. He says the water there is contaminated with lead and electrical problems are affecting servers and daily operations.

“This year we have had two catastrophic floods,” he said. “We need a building that is suitable for the requirements that the police impose on it.”

As for the idea that money for the new police headquarters would be better spent on programs aimed at preventing crime, Hall says prevention is also part of police work.

He says officers work with community groups, connecting people to services and providing resources to young people.

“Law enforcement is only part of policing. It’s not the whole thing,” he said.

Hall says all indicators currently suggest that Greater Sudbury’s population will increase in the coming years, as will the demand for policing services.

He says he understands that the new headquarters “is going to cost the community,” but says he also hears that people “want more police presence in their neighborhood” and that improving facilities is an element important to achieve this.

The Council could explore alternatives

In an interview with Radio-Canada, GSPS board chairman Al Sizer said the cost estimate for the new head office project would soon be submitted to the board.

“We will talk with council to see if there is a will and a way to find that $173 million,” he said.

He says the city has programs aimed at addressing homelessness and mental health issues, pointing to the city’s tax-funded 40-unit transitional housing project.

“We have just acquired a building in the city center which offers us 26 additional beds,” he underlined. “There are gaps and needs, but we are addressing them.”

He says discussions on how to finance the new headquarters will likely take place during deliberations on the 2026 budget.

He says if the proposal is ultimately rejected, the board will look at other options at the police’s four operational campuses.

He says the additional venues created at Tom Davies Square through the cultural hub project could also “reduce the immediate need for a new facility”.

“My position is (the seat) is more of a need than a want, but it’s difficult,” he said.

“We also understand the taxpayers’ position. It’s a fine line we have to cross.”