North Cowichan faces rising E-Comm dispatch costs

North Cowichan is facing a significant rise in costs for police call-taking and dispatch services. The municipality’s annual E-Comm bill is projected to increase by approximately 71 per cent over a three-year period, rising from an estimated $888,000 in 2026 to $1.52 million by 2029.

According to municipal staff, the surge is primarily driven by E-Comm’s new cost allocation model rather than changes in service levels. This model shifts a larger portion of corporate overhead costs to police, fire, and 911 services and adjusts calculations based on population, call volumes, and dispatch seat usage. Additionally, the transition to federally mandated Next Generation 911 services is expected to contribute to the rising fees.

To mitigate the immediate impact of the 2027 increase, North Cowichan plans to utilize approximately $30,900 from its reserve funding.