By Lyonel Doherty, Times-Chronicle

As predicted, the Town of Oliver has surpassed 5,000 population and must prepare to pay significantly more for policing services under a new municipal contract.

The latest 2021 census figures released by Statistics Canada shows Oliver’s population is 5,094, an increase of 3.4 per cent from 2016 when the population was 4,928. This change compares to the provincial average of 7.6 per cent and the national average of 5.2 per cent.

In 2021 there were 2,312 private dwellings occupied in Oliver, which represents a change of 7.2 per cent from 2016.

The land area of Oliver is 5.49 square kilometres, and the population density per square kilometre is 927.9 people.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said town council began preparing for this day since 2018 (with the nine per cent annual tax increases).

“As we do not know the actual cost for 2022, we budgeted on the high side and will make adjustments as more information becomes available over the next few months.”

Johansen said the town is well positioned to take on the substantial increase of approximately $600,000 in policing costs. He noted they will start paying for this in April.

Chief Financial Officer Elma Hamming said much remains unknown until the province comes forward with accurate costing information. Once these costs are shared with the Town, the public will be engaged prior to adoption, she pointed out.

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff admitted that surpassing 5,000 population caused a concern in 2016 since they were not sure if the town was going to lose its high school at the time.

“There was a large cost for the town, as we had to pay 70 per cent (of policing costs) instead of 30 per cent.”

But the mayor said they had plenty of help from the RCMP provincial committee who outlined how to move forward.

McKortoff said the town did receive more officers – some paid for by the town and some from the province in Area A.

“I have talked to Mayor Johansen and I think he will get the same help from the RCMP.”

In Area C (rural Oliver), the population in 2021 was 3,986, a 12 per cent change from 2016 when the figure was 3,557.

Figures for the Osoyoos Indian Band show the population was 1,426 in 2021, up 87 per cent from 2016 when the population was 762.

In Osoyoos, Statistics Canada reports the population was 5,556 in 2021, an increase of 10 per cent from 2016 when the population was 5,050.

In Area A (rural Osoyoos), the population was 2,139 in 2021, compared to 1,858 in 2016, a 15 per cent increase.