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“I think it’s absolutely crucial (they get this boost) now more than ever, especially with the economy the way it is. The DOAP team does crucial work for our community, they do important work throughout the city that does work to support emergency services. This is a huge area where just a few dollars can generate such a big return in the long run and actually serve to free up resources that would be tied up by police.”

Police Chief Mark Neufeld said last week that the cuts affecting the DOAP team were putting more strain on city officers, who were forced to respond to more incidents previously handled by the group.

Councillors Shane Keating, Evan Woolley, Gian-Carlo Carra, Druh Farrell and Mayor Naheed Nenshi voted against the motion.

The public engagement process on the potential speed limit changes was initially passed in an 8-6 vote on Nov. 18.

Carra said he didn’t feel council should be pitting the funding against one another.

“Council explicitly asked for this work to be done, both to help inform the public of the business case (for a speed limit change) and to help create an understanding where the public actually lies,” he said. “I think if we’re going to get to the right outcome, council has specifically asked that we do this work to get to the right outcome.

“I wish it wasn’t necessary but I feel like it is necessary. I feel like DOAP funding is very necessary, but I don’t feel like we should be putting them against each other.”