BUDGET EXPECTED TO INCLUDE MONEY FOR NEW MOUNTIES AND POLICE

OTTAWA - The Harper government's first budget is expected to include a
major cash infusion to hire new Mounties and police officers, using a
combination of new money and funds diverted from the federal gun registry.

The Conservatives are keeping the dollar amount under wraps in the
days leading up to the May 2 budget, but law-and-order groups expect
over $100-million and possibly up to $180-million if the government
makes good on an array of election promises. The election platform
called for hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers with money saved from the
gun registry, which currently costs about $80-million annually in
federal money.

Jay Hill, a Conservative MP and the party's whip, told the Prince
George Free Press this week that reallocating money from the registry
to the RCMP is a major priority in next week's budget. The
Conservatives have not yet scrapped the controversial registry as
promised, acknowledging that its elimination will require a vote in
the minority Parliament.

The government also promised during the election campaign to spend
$100-million in new money annually to negotiate cost-share
arrangements with the provinces to hire more front-line officers in
cities and towns, put $10-million toward services for crime victims
and another $10-million to keep young people from joining gangs.