Cobourg police station/X photo
The battle over Cobourg’s 2026 police budget grew sharper today as the Police Services Board voted to send its 20.5% budget request back to council, this time insisting on the chance to publicly explain why cutting it to the mayor’s 4% directive isn’t possible.
Board Chair Adam Bureau confirmed at the meeting that council didn’t examine the budget before sending it back, triggering frustration among members and prompting a review of the board’s limited options: requesting a conciliation officer, entering arbitration, or simply returning the budget with a formal request to present.
Chief Paul Vandegraaf reminded the board that the service is still dealing with the fallout from last year, when reserves were used to artificially lower the levy, a move he says created the financial pressure now driving the 20.5% increase.
Vandegraaf also warned that arbitration, while available under the Community Safety and Policing Act, would be costly and should only be used as a last resort.
He added that strong mayor powers have prevented police from presenting directly to council, a change he believes contributed to the current standoff.
Board members also highlighted growing pressures such as homelessness, encampments, and increasing community safety demands, all of which they say must be accounted for in a legally compliant police budget.
After debate, the board approved a motion to resend the budget to council with a request to present at its next meeting on Nov. 29 while also looking into the consiliation option. Members hope they’ll finally have the chance to outline why the increase is needed and why anything less, they say, will compromise public safety and core policing standards.
Cobourg council’s next meeting is scheduled for November 29.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
