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May 14, 2020 10:26 PM -

Vancouver's police department is protesting a cut in budget

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Park rangers stand by as Kim Berg moves her belongings out of a homeless camp at Oppenheimer Park just before a 12 p.m. deadline for the park to be vacated, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Vulnerable and homeless people across British Columbia could soon receive a smartphone to access support services and to stay connected with friends and family while practising physical distancing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver's police department is protesting a one-per cent cut in his department's 314-million dollar budget, saying the cut will reduce the city's policing levels to those last seen in the 1990s.

Council voted in-camera last night to impose the cut, despite a note from the chairman of the police board finance committee.

In it, Barj Dhahan reminded councillors that demand for police services remains high during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council says it anticipates a revenue loss of 152-million dollars due to the new coronavirus, yet it's required by law to balance its books, and it wants all departments to find savings.

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