Vancouver Police Board learned about ‘Task Force Barrage' through mayor's announcement, chair says
An oversight body whose role it is to develop the Vancouver Police Department's budget, wasn't part of the approval process for a multi-million dollar initiative aimed at targeting crime on the Downtown Eastside.
Frank Chong, the chair of the Vancouver Police Board, said the board learned about the $5 million dollar plan, named 'Task Force Barrage,' through Mayor Ken Sim's press conference with then-chief Adam Palmer in February.
'That was a notification that we found out at during the media announcement,' Chong said.
'And I think that what transpired was that there was a miscommunication and perhaps, some missteps with regards to process.'
Chong said the board is working on rectifying what transpired.
'That was determined by the finance committee that there is a need for sharpening of that particular process, which will be discussed at our governance committee,' he added.
Police Act
The mayor's announcement, came after the city's budget was finalized.
As outlined in the B.C. Police Act, the Vancouver Police Board is required to prepare and approve the provisional budget for the following year on an annual basis. Any changes to this budget, per the act, must be submitted to council on or before March 1 of the year to which the provisional budget relates. Chong believes the board did not breach the legislation.
Mayor's response
Typically, the approval process for an initiative such as Task Force Barrage involves city council sending a request to the police board, which would then discuss the financial implications.
From there, if board members agreed they were wiling to adjust the budget, they would then give approval to the Vancouver Police Department.
CTV News asked Sim in May, why a funding request or proposal was not sent to the police board for approval before the task force was launched.
At the time, Sim said he didn't know. 'Look, I can't comment on what people know and didn't know,' he said.
'You're asking me to comment on what six other individuals knew. I'm not in their mind.'
Critics such as Green Coun. Pete Fry and former board vice-chair Faye Wightman have questioned how Task Force Barrage was approved. Both have pointed to the lack of a paper trail and called it a backroom deal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 minutes ago
- Global News
Trump says Canada could have to ‘just pay tariffs' as trade talks continue
U.S. President Donald Trump signalled Friday that he may not reach a deal with Canada, suggesting the northern neighbour will 'just pay tariffs.' 'We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada,' Trump told reporters outside the White House. 'I think Canada could be one where they'll just pay tariffs, not really a negotiation.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Trump made the remarks while discussing other trade deals that had been reached with countries ahead of his Aug. 1 deadline. The remarks come just a day after Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters he was feeling 'encouraged' following meetings with both Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and American lawmakers. However, LeBlanc had also suggested a new economic and security deal would not be signed before Aug. 1. 'Canadians expect us to take the time necessary to get the best deal we can in the interest of Canadian workers,' LeBlanc said. Story continues below advertisement More to come.
CTV News
2 minutes ago
- CTV News
Police won't be charged in Thunder Bay woman's death
The family of a Thunder Bay woman say justice hasn't been served after Ontario's police watchdog concluded that no criminal charges were warranted in her death.
CTV News
2 minutes ago
- CTV News
Timmins police warn residents about fraudulent contractors offering driveway repairs
Timmins police say it has received calls and online reports about a suspicious asphalt company making its way throughout northern Ontario. The Timmins Police Service says that it has received calls and online reports this week about a suspicious asphalt company making its way throughout northern Ontario. 'The information we've received so far is that there's a group going around door-to-door, offering to pave driveways with leftover asphalt, for significantly discounted prices,' said acting Det. Sgt. Kathryn Beatty of the Timmins Police Service. Beatty said the price the fraudulent contractors are quoting is $2,000 for a quick job. As far as she knows, no money has been exchanged in Timmins because people have doubted the sales pitches. Asphalt scam The Timmis Police Service says some scamming driveway repair contractors are going door-to-door offering leftover asphalt. (File) She added that seniors and other vulnerable individuals tend to be targeted. 'They're showing up in unmarked vehicles, they're saying that they're just in town doing a quick job, or they have leftover material,' Beatty said. 'They're showing up in unmarked vehicles, they're saying that they're just in town doing a quick job, or they have leftover material.' — Acting Det. Sgt. Kathryn Beatty of the Timmins Police Service 'They're not providing business cards, business names, addresses or phone numbers and if they do, then we later find out that they're not legitimate.' If these contractors happen to make you an offer, she said residents should take note of their appearance and what their vehicles look like -- and report the descriptions to police. 'If people show up at your door, do your due diligence, ask for a business card, ask for phone numbers, take five minutes and verify that the information you are being given is accurate,' Beatty said. 'Sometimes when the deal is too good to be true, it's because it's not a good deal.' One Timmins resident who did not want to appear on camera told CTV News that he was approached yesterday by a man in a white pickup truck with an Alberta licence plate who said he had 'recycled asphalt and a grader ready to make his driveway look really good.' Other comments posted on social media also indicate a white vehicle is being used and the workers are telling people they're from Thunder Bay.
