Hours before Niagara Police Board Chair Bob Gale said he couldn't elaborate on an $870,000 retirement payout to former Chief Jeff McGuire at last night's regional council meeting, the police board's finance committee grappled with a reported $7.4 million budget deficit.
The Standard reporting finance committee members decided to take money out of police contingency funds to offset the deficit and will also ask regional council for $2.4 million to cover the rest of the shortfall.
The report says the board failed to budget for the boost in pay given by an arbitrator to frontline officers and staff, at a cost of $5 million.
The Standard report by Grant LaFleche came under fire last night at council from Gale.
Gale says the police do not have a $7 million deficit, adding staff called Lafleche to tell him that, the last time he reported on budget talks.
Gale explains, "it is all abritration" and the actual shortfall is closer to $2 million.
Gale also demanded apologies from former NRP Deputy Chief Joe Matthews and the Police Association President Cliff Priest for statements they made about the deal to the media.
McGuire responding to the demand on Twitter this morning tweeting "My colleague @DeputyMatthews is a long time police leader who is highly respected across Niagara, Ontario & Canada & he continues to serve the community as a tireless volunteer. Thanks Joe. "
He also added #NoApologyRequired.