Parliamentary Committee Notes: Minister Anandasangaree's appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN)
Indigenous Policing
Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) - Indigenous Policing
Overview Note
General Information
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Wellington Building, 197 Sparks Street, Room 415
Context
You have been invited to appear at INAN for one hour on the Committee's study on Indigenous Policing.
You will be appearing for the seventh of eight planned meetings for this study. So far, the Committee has heard from a broad range of witnesses including Indigenous police chiefs and officers, First Nations leaders, national and regional Indigenous organizations, provincial police representatives, and subject-matter experts.
Testimony has consistently focused on systemic underfunding of Indigenous police services, lack of recognition of Indigenous policing as an essential service, and the operational challenges stemming from short-term funding agreements, inadequate infrastructure, and recruitment and retention barriers. Witnesses emphasized the importance of culturally grounded, community-led policing models, the need for legislative reform to enshrine Indigenous policing as an essential service, and the urgency of addressing jurisdictional gaps, enforcement of First Nations laws and bylaws, and the growing threats posed by organized crime and drug trafficking in Indigenous communities.
Your briefing package includes key messages that directly address these concerns and provide clear, factual context to support your appearance.
Officials
You will be appearing for the first hour with the following officials:
Adrian Walraven, Director General, Indigenous Affairs, Public Safety Canada
Bryan Larkin, Senior Deputy Commissioner, RCMP
Chief Superintendent Lindsay Ellis, Commanding Officer, M Division (Yukon), RCMP
Lisa Smiley, Assistant Deputy Minister, Indigenous Services Canada
Opening Remarks
At the beginning of the meeting, the Chair will invite you to deliver opening remarks lasting approximately 5 minutes.
Your proposed opening remarks reinforce the importance of modernizing Indigenous policing through sustained investment and culturally responsive, community-based approaches, while directly acknowledging long-standing concerns about funding stability and the need for meaningful collaboration with First Nations and Inuit partners.
Rounds of Questions
Questions from Committee members will follow with the rounds of questions to be as follows:
First Round of Questions:
Conservative Party, six minutes.
Liberal Party, six minutes.
Bloc Québécois, six minutes.
Second and Subsequent Rounds of Questions:
Conservative Party, five minutes.
Liberal Party, five minutes.
Bloc Québécois, two and a half minutes.
Conservative Party, five minutes.
Liberal Party, five minutes.
Motion Establishing the Study
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on Indigenous Policing and options to ensure that Indigenous communities have essential services of public safety. The study should examine how federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions can work collaboratively with Indigenous Governments to advance the safety of their community members. The study should also look at the obstacles and systemic racism within the justice system and examine what barriers exist that prevent Indigenous people from becoming law enforcement officers. That the study dedicate 8 meetings and that all meetings for this study be televised or webcast; that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.
That the committee also request the Parliamentary Budget Officer prepare research and comparative analysis of policing provided through the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and non-Indigenous police services, beginning at least as early as 2015-16 to 2023-24, and future years as data availability permits. Factors to compare are to include but not be limited to funding for facilities, equipment, personnel, compensation and employee benefits, culturally responsive and specialized services, training, and oversight and accountability mechanisms. That this research and comparative analysis be submitted to the committee within 60 days.
Speaking Notes for The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Public Safety
Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs (INAN) - Indigenous Policing
November 5, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario
Thank you Mr. Chair and committee members for inviting me to speak about our Government's work to support improved public safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
Our Government remains committed to working in collaboration with all partners: with the provinces and territories, First Nations and Inuit to support the unique policing needs of First Nation and Inuit communities. We do that through cost-shared funding for the 36 First Nations and Inuit police services operating across Canada.
Like all communities in Canada, First Nations and Inuit communities should be places where people and families feel safe and secure.
In recent years, we have made significant investments in Indigenous policing and community safety, including in the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program – or FNIPP – and the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program – or FNIPFP.
Budget 2024 committed $250 million over five years, plus $92.5 million in ongoing funding in the FNIPP, and $200 million over five years in the FNIPFP.
These commitments build on Budget 2021 which invested $540.3 million over five years and $126.8 million ongoing to the FNIPP and $108.6 million over five years to the FNIPFP.
These programs are implemented based on a 52% federal - 48% provincial/territorial cost-sharing ratio.
Our expanded federal support has enhanced policing agreements and provided community safety officers in several jurisdictions.
They have also stabilized the funding for existing First Nations and Inuit police services.
We work in closely with provincial and territorial partners to implement these investments as part of our collective responsibilities for the administration of justice.
We also work to sustain ongoing tripartite discussions with provinces and territories and First Nations and Inuit partners to assess which current policing and community safety approaches are meeting local needs.
First Nations and Inuit leaders and citizens will always play an important role in finding ways for us to improve safety outcomes in their own communities.
First Nations have long called for reform to how their police services are funded. They have also advocated for federal legislation that recognizes First Nations police services as an essential service.
These calls were amplified by the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which called for reforms to the delivery of policing services in Indigenous communities.
We have undertaken important work with First Nations, police services and provincial and territorial partners on federal legislation that would recognize First Nations police services as essential services.
That work is now guiding our program reform efforts.
As the committee is aware, in March 2024, the Auditor General released her report on the FNIPP, recommending reforms to improve program governance and to ensure positive outcomes.
I am happy to tell you that reforms have been made.
We have recently updated the FNIPP terms and conditions to be more flexible and less burdensome for funding recipients.
These represent an important initial step in efforts to modernize the program, most significantly with regard to how we fund First Nations and Inuit police services.
Mr. Chair, we know there is no one size fits all approach to policing.
Policing priorities and approaches change according to local circumstances.
Community-based approaches are a key feature of our reforms, and support our shared goal of improving community safety and policing outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
We will continue to work closely with First Nations and Inuit communities, as well as provincial and territorial governments, to advance this important work.
Thank you.
Current Issues
First Nations and Inuit Policing – Key Issues – November 2025
Advancing Reconciliation in Canada
Delivering on Investments & Achieving Results
We're strengthening policing in First Nations and Inuit communities through growing investments:
First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP): from $339.6M in 2023/24 to $377.5M in 2025/26
Service delivery funding for 445 communities:
36 First Nations and Inuit police services (158 communities as of March 2025): 64% of funding
164 Ryal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community Tripartite Agreements active or in negotiation (269 communities as of August 2025): 22% of funding
Other arrangements with municipal, provincial police services (18 active agreements), and Community Safety Officers: 14% of funding
We're building safer First Nations and Inuit communities by investing in policing facilities:
First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP): $200M additional investment (B2024)
Working actively with Quebec to implement a series of priority police facility projects for the Nunavik Police Service.
15 other detachment projects underway in Quebec (5), Alberta (3) and Ontario (7)
Responding to the Auditor General's Report (March 2024)
We're modernizing the FNIPP, our decision-making structures with provinces and territories and our approach to measuring results.
Modernized FNIPP Terms and Conditions - greater flexibility and reduced administrative burden for Indigenous partners
New Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) governance structures - improved funding decisions
Use of multi-year funding proposals - more equitable and transparent allocations
National-level tracking reports - aligning program demand with available resources
Updating 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and developing a new performance measurement framework
Mandatory cultural competency training for Public Safety (PS) staff (2025/26)
Implementation of revised RCMP national Regular Member Demand model to include Community Tripartite Agreement (CTA) positions and address shortages
RCMP to develop repository of Indigenous community profiles accessible to all members
Implementing Calls to Action
Over-representation still rampant:
Indigenous persons over-represented as both victims and perpetrators
Victimization twice that of non-Indigenous
25% of all accused, 30% of inmates (42% for women) while representing 5% of population
We've responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action:
Call to Action 25 (reaffirm independence of RCMP to investigate crimes in which government has its own interest) completed
We're delivering on the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG):
PS - expanded culturally responsive police
RCMP - building respectful and culturally appropriate relationships with Indigenous Peoples, esp. women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+
We're implementing our commitments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan 2023-2028:
PS leads or co-leads 11 Action Plan Measures - mutual respect; community safety and policing; self-government
Measures 54 (enhanced Indigenous policing) and 55 (CSOs) specific to FNIPP
RCMP leads 2 Action Plan Measures - cultural awareness, oversight on cases implicating Indigenous women and girls
Overview of Indigenous Policing First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP)
QP Notes
Q1 – How will the department ensure sufficient and predictable funding for Indigenous police services moving forward
Budget 2024 invested $267.5 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, and $92.5 million per year ongoing for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) and $200 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to repair, renovate and replace policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities
I recognize that our partners may have additional needs that are not fully addressed through current Budget allocations. We continue to work with First Nations and Inuit communities, police services and provincial and territorial partners to identify policing priorities which may inform future federal investments.
Q2 – Why are Indigenous police services subject to different funding models and conditions than non-Indigenous police services
Federal and provincial/territorial cost-sharing for the operations of First Nations and Inuit police services are made, for the most part, via the FNIPP, which is governed by a set of Terms and Conditions that align with the federal Policy on Transfer Payments.
Transfer payments are one of the government's key instruments in furthering its broad policy objectives and priorities – in this case, the improvement of public safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities. Recently, the Terms and Conditions for the FNIPP were revised to be more flexible in terms of eligible costs and less administratively burdensome on funding recipients.
Q3 – Why is the federal government supporting First Nations and Inuit policing, since policing is a provincial jurisdiction
On a policy basis, the Government of Canada has long supported cost-sharing relationships with provinces and territories in the area of policing, whether that be the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) frontline police services contracted by provinces, territories and municipalities or the initiatives that are cost shared under the FNIPP.
The 52% federal – 48% provincial-territorial cost-sharing ratio under the FNIPP reflects the federal government's interest in supporting improved policing and community safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
First Nations and Inuit policing services and associated police governance are under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories, and hence subject to their policing statutes. This being said, we have the same goal, and that is to support safe Indigenous communities.
Q4 – What have B2021 and B2024 investments achieved for First Nations and Inuit policing services
Budget 2021 - Examples
In BC, working with provincial partners, we are about to confirm a more than 10% funding increase for the Stl'atl'imx (stat-lee-um) Tribal Police's core budget (total new total budget of $4,799,461 - PS portion is $2,495,719.54 in 2025-26), fulfilling a commitment to increase front-line police resources, support staff, and equipment. In parallel, we are funding a third party study that will help inform broader tripartite funding negotiations.
In Ontario, Budget 2021 is cost sharing a multiyear effort to assist 17 First Nations in a tradition away from legacy Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement (OFNPA) arrangements to alternate arrangements. In this effort we are prioritizing support for communities that wish to be served by existing First Nations police services.
Budget 2024 - Examples
Budget 2024 investments have resulted in increased cost-share funding (salaries, benefits, training, and equipment) for all of the 36 First Nations and Inuit police services operating across Canada.
In Manitoba, Budget 2024 has supported unprecedented collaboration between Public Safety and the Province of Manitoba to increase funding for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS). Between 2025-26 and 2028-29, a cost shared federal funding increase of approximately $47 million will help MFNPS nearly triple in size, from 56 to 162 officers, and expand into new First Nations communities.
In Ontario, cost-shared Budget 2024 investments have supported a general 5% funding increase for all 8 existing First Nations police services. In parallel, Ontario is working with the police services to apply the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) service delivery model as an evidence-based approach to assess additional base funding needs.
If Pressed on the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Report on the FNIPP
Q1 – What is the government's response to the Auditor General's March 2024 report on the First Nations and Inuit policing program
I fully accept the Auditor General's findings, and have taken concrete steps to strengthen the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) based on the recommendations.
This includes the following concrete steps:
Approval a new federal-provincial-territorial governance structures to improve how funding decisions are made. Multi-year funding proposals are now being collected from all provinces and territories to support more equitable and transparent allocations, while a new national tracker helps align program demand with available resources.
Updating the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and developing a revised results-based measurement framework that reflect the diversity of Indigenous policing needs.
Introducing a mandatory cultural competency training roadmap for departmental staff.
With input from from the RCMP and Indigenous organizations, approving new guidelines for Community Tripartite Agreement to improve accountability and service delivery
Q2 – Why is First Nations and Inuit-specific policing program important
The Government of Canada believes that First Nations and Inuit communities, like all communities in Canada, should be places where people and families feel safe and secure.
Furthermore, it is important that Indigenous people in Canada have trust and confidence in those who serve and protect them. We know the legacy of colonialism in Canada has left deep scars that affect people's trust in law enforcement to this day.
First Nations and Inuit people face unique challenges—whether it's the remoteness of communities or the need for policing that is culturally appropriate.
Background
Issue (FNIPP)
Indigenous communities have unique needs and priorities, and the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of ensuring culturally responsive police services, while respecting the province or territory's jurisdiction.
Public Safety Canada supports Indigenous policing in Canada through the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) and First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP).
Information to support Key Messages
In Canada, section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867 provides the federal government with legislative authority over "Indians and Lands reserved for the Indians", while section 92(14) provides the provincial/territorial government with legislative authority over the "Administration of Justice", which includes jurisdiction over policing in the province or territory (PT).
While PTs are responsible for the "Administration of Justice", the Government of Canada has taken steps to bridge the equity gap between police services in Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous communities.
In 1991, concerns about policing services in First Nation (FN) communities led to the establishment of the First Nation and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) – a contribution program to enhance the effectiveness of policing services in FN and Inuit communities for professional, dedicated and responsive police services to the communities they serve.
The FNIPP is the Government of Canada's mechanism to support culturally appropriate and responsive policing and community safety services in Indigenous communities across the country, supporting roughly 450 FN and Inuit communities across Canada.
Eligible costs under the FNIPP are shared with PTs in accordance with a 52% federal and 48% PT cost-share ratio, reflecting the shared jurisdiction of policing in Indigenous communities. This cost-share provision signals that the FNIPP does not guarantee a full payment of all expenses related to policing, but rather a contribution to the services provided by PT governments, in which the federal government can participate up to a maximum of 52%.
Funding under the FNIPP is provided to support two main policing models:
Self-Administered Police Service Agreements:
A First Nation or Inuit police service is authorized or established by the provincial/territorial government and provides day-to-day policing services to a First Nation or Inuit community; and,
Enhanced Policing Agreements:
A contingent of police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a provincial police service or a municipal police service provides dedicated policing to a First Nation or Inuit community to supplement base-level provincial/territorial policing services provided.
Despite the progress made by the FNIPP since 1991, Indigenous people in Canada continue to register concerns that their communities do not have equitable access to the same level of policing and community safety services as non-Indigenous people, and point to discretionary nature of the FNIPP as a key factor and indicator of the inequity.
Budget 2021 provided $540.3 million over five years and $126.8 million ongoing, to support communities currently served by the FNIPP and to expand the program into new communities. Additionally, Budget 2024 invested $267.5 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, and $92.5 million per year ongoing for FNIPP and $200 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, to repair, renovate and replace policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities (delivered via the FNIPFP).
Overview of Indigenous Policing First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP)
QP Notes
Q1 – What is Public Safety Canada doing to ensure the adequacy of policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit Communities
Since 2018, Public Safety Canada has invested in the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP) to support the cost of building, renovating, and replacing police facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities.
This program is cost-shared with the provinces and territories (52%/48%) and aims to ensure policing infrastructure in First Nations and Inuit communities meets policing requirements and health and safety standards.
Budget 2024 committed $200 million over five years to support priority infrastructure needs of First Nations and Inuit police services operating across Canada.
This funding builds on Budget 2021 investments into the FNIPFP ($108.6 million over five years), which have been fully committed to repair existing facilities, replace existing facilities, and build net new facilities.
Alberta presents good example of current programming, as we have partnered with the province and the associated First Nations to construct three new police facilities between 2024-25 and 2026-27:
Blood Tribe Police Service Detachment Replacement at a total cost of $18,150,000 (Public Safety portion is $6,838,000);
Lakeshore Regional Police Service Detachment Expansion at a total cost of $14,315,000 (Public Safety portion is $7,443,800); and
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service Satellite Detachment at a total cost of $3,197,825 (Public Safety portion is $1,662,869).
These investments will replace outdated and unsafe prior facilities and help ensure the three First Nations police services have police detachments that meet their contemporary needs.
Q2 – How does the FNIPFP differ from facilities funding available through the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program
The FNIPFP is meant to support the capital costs building, renovating, and replacing police facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities.
Ongoing police facility costs including rent, normal utilities, insurance, and maintenance of offices and other buildings are supported through the FNIPP.
Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Report – March 2024
QP Notes
Q1 – What is the Government's response to the Auditor General's March 2024 report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP)
We fully accept the Auditor General's findings, and have taken concrete steps to strengthen the FNIPP based on the recommendations.
These include the following concrete steps:
Approval of modernized Terms and Conditions to provide funding recipients with more flexibility and reduce administrative burden.
Adoption of new federal, provincial, and territorial governance structures to improve funding decisions.
Collection of multi-year funding proposals from all jurisdictions to support informed and transparent allocations.
Development of a national tracker to align program demand with available resources.
Updates to the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and creation of a revised results-based measurement framework.
Introduction of mandatory cultural competency training for departmental staff.
If Pressed
Q2 – What is the current progress on implementing the 2024 Auditor General Management Action Plan (MAP) for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program
Public Safety Canada has made progress on several key components of the MAP in response to the March 2024 Auditor General report. As of September 2025:
Updated Terms and Conditions for the program were approved by Treasury Board in June 2025.
New governance structures and terms of reference have been established to guide federal, provincial, and territorial collaboration.
Multi-year funding proposals have been solicited from provinces and territories, with a tracking system now in place to support budgeting and funding decisions.
Cultural competency training for staff has been approved and is scheduled for implementation in 2025-2026.
Work is underway to revise the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and to co-develop a new performance measurement framework with Indigenous and government partners.
Q3 – What is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP's) progress to date on implementing its Management Action Plan in response to the 2024 Auditor General report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program
The RCMP has made progress on all four recommendations outlined in the 2024 Auditor General report. As of August 2024:
Collaboration with Public Safety Canada, provinces and territories, and Indigenous communities has increased, including participation in First Nations Policing Committee meetings.
The RCMP's revised Regular Member Demand Model is being refined to better reflect vacancy patterns and inform staffing decisions across contract jurisdictions, including the FNIPP.
Work is underway to develop community profiles and a national repository to support cultural awareness among officers serving Indigenous communities.
An environmental scan is being conducted to assess program delivery across Community Tripartite Agreement (CTA) communities, which will inform future performance measurement and potential program adjustments.
Recognizing First Nations Police Services as Essential Services
QP Notes
Q1 – In light of recent calls from the Assembly of First Nations, including the National Chief, will the federal government commit to formally recognizing First Nations policing as an essential service
My deputies and I met with the National Chief in late October to discuss this and the other public safety priorities of First Nations.
We know that First Nations in Canada have long called for reform on how First Nations police services are funded and have advocated for federal legislation that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service.
Informed by the Auditor General's March 2024 recommendations and our ongoing discussions with external partners on how to modernize federal approaches, I am committed to supporting reforms that move us to sufficient and predictable, cost-shared funding for First Nations and Inuit police services.
In this context, in collaboration with my provincial and territorial counterparts, I am considering options for additional federal, cast-shared investments that better enable First Nations and Inuit police services to effectively respond to the unique needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
Q2 – Many of your predecessors have committed to co-develop legislation that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service. Can you update the committee on the status of that legislative work
I want to extend my thanks to all those who contributed to the co-development process to date. I appreciate and acknowledge that participants' technical expertise and unwavering commitment to First Nations and Inuit police services are instrumental in shaping meaningful reform.
This input continues to guide Public Safety Canada's work to modernize the FNIPP and the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program (FNIPFP) – with the aim of ensuring these programs best respond to the needs of First Nations and Inuit police services and the communities they serve.
While we are open to continue discussions on the potential role of legislation, in the immediate term we are focused on modernizing our programming structures and supporting collaborative, tripartite funding negotiations with First Nations and Inuit police services and relevant provincial partners.
I am confident that these ongoing funding negotiations will continue to identify what investments are still needed to properly support the essential role that First Nations and Inuit police services play in the public safety of the communities they service.
Q3 – How is the department ensuring that Indigenous voices are central in shaping this legislation
Following Budget 2021 commitments to co-develop legislation, my department launched a formal engagement process in March 2022. Our takeaways from this engagement process were summarized in a What We Heard report, published in September 2022.
The What We Heard report is only part of the extensive engagement my department conducted between 2021 and 2024, involving hundreds of First Nations representatives. Public Safety Canada continues to leverage this knowledge in ongoing program modernization, and we continue to work closely with key First Nations and Inuit partners, as well as provincial and territorial governments.
Q4 – How is past engagement contributing to program reform
Most recently, past engagement has informed revised Terms and Conditions for the FNIPP, which were approved by Treasury Board in June 2025.
The revisions are meant to simplify and streamline participation in the program for our recipients. In recognition of provincial/territorial jurisdiction over the administration of justice, the revised Terms and Conditions also provide additional clarity on federal roles and responsibilities.
First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) Litigation
QP Notes
Q1 – What is Public Safety Canada's response to the human rights complaint filed by the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario in 2023
This matter is currently before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Public Safety Canada will continue to participate in the Tribunal's process.
More broadly, recent court decisions have informed Public Safety Canada's recent updates to the terms and conditions of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. Public Safety Canada has also invested over $467 million to better respond to the operational requirements of First Nations and Inuit services.
Public Safety Canada will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous communities and provincial and territorial governments to improve the delivery of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program to address concerns and improve outcomes.
Q2 – What are the main legal risks to Canada related to First Nations and Inuit policing
Canada faces legal risks related to alleged failures to enforce First Nations laws, alleged underfunding of First Nations and Inuit police services, and alleged failures to negotiate honourably with program recipients.
Q3 – Underfunding of First Nations police services
Public Safety Canada is working with provincial and territorial partners on our shared priority to better support both the operational and infrastructure needs of First Nations and Inuit police services across Canada.
Q4 – Negotiating honourably with program recipients
Public Safety Canada will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners on funding negotiations and to conduct them in good faith with First Nations and Inuit partners, organizations and communities.
Accountability and Systemic Violence
QP Notes
Q1 – What mechanisms are currently in place to hold the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers accountable for misconduct, particularly in cases involving Indigenous women and girls
The RCMP Act sets out internal and external review processes to manage issues related to officer conduct involving the use of police intervention options to ensure RCMP officers are accountable for all occurrences.
It is critically important for Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians to feel protected by the police, and that employees, communities, partners and all Canadians have trust and confidence in those who serve and protect them.
The RCMP makes referrals to predominantly civilian-led independent bodies, to ensure that matters involving RCMP members are reviewed appropriately.
The RCMP has begun the national deployment of body-worn cameras and the digital evidence management system. This is a pivotal step towards enhancing trust and accountability, and better protection of the communities they serve. The camera and supporting evidence system will increase transparency and trust in the eyes of the public and lead to improved evidence-gathering and more timely resolution of complaints.
Circumstances that would be referred by the RCMP for independent review are: (1) a serious injury or death of an individual involving an RCMP member, or (2) instances where it appears that an RCMP member may have contravened a provision of the Criminal Code or other statute, and the matter is of a serious or sensitive nature.
Q2 – How will you ensure that systemic violence and abuse by law enforcement are addressed in a culturally appropriate and trauma-informed manner
The RCMP is committed to building trusting relationships and delivering culturally-responsive and trauma-informed policing services that meet the needs of Indigenous communities across Canada.
To foster reconciliation, the RCMP is working to acknowledge its role in historic events; increase knowledge; expand consultations and engagement with Indigenous organizations and governments; and increase Indigenous representation within the workforce.
The RCMP engages with Indigenous Peoples, organizations and communities to ensure the provision of policing services that are professional, dedicated, trauma-informed and culturally responsive to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities it serves.
RCMP employees interacting with the public receive training on how to use a trauma-informed approach to better understand the impacts of culture and personal identity on actions, perceptions, interactions and experiences.
In addition, the RCMP has developed mandatory courses for all employees, such as Uniting Against Racism and Cultural Awareness and Humility, to promote understanding of racism and its roots; recognition of the value of diversity, equity and inclusion; and understanding that words, symbols and actions carry different significance for different people.
Q3 – How are RCMP officers being trained in cultural safety and trauma-informed approaches, and how is this training evaluated for effectiveness
Answer still needed for this question
Q4 – What steps has the RCMP taken to acknowledge and redress its historical role in colonial violence against Indigenous communities
We continue to advance reconciliation efforts, and the RCMP continues to strengthen trust and partnerships with local, regional and national Indigenous leaders, organizations and governments.
These partnerships guide the delivery of professional, dedicated, trauma-informed and culturally responsive policing services in and for Indigenous communities.
Q5 – How does the RCMP ensure that its bias-free policing policy is effectively implemented in Indigenous communities, and what mechanisms are in place to monitor and address potential breaches of equitable treatment in those contexts
In any interaction with the public, RCMP members are guided by the RCMP's bias-free policing policy, which is based on the principles of equality and non-discrimination, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the RCMP Act, and the RCMP's core values.
Bias-free policing means equitable treatment of all persons by all RCMP members and employees in the performance of their duties, in accordance with the law and without abusing their authority regardless of an individual's race, national or ethnic origin, skin colour, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, citizenship, socio-economic status, genetic characteristics, disability, or a conviction for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Recruitment and Retention
QP Notes
Q1 – What are you planning to do to address chronic RCMP staffing shortages in Indigenous communities
The RCMP is committed to increasing the number of personnel and ensuring that it strengthens its capacity to serve and protect communities. This is in keeping with the Prime Minister's October 16, 2025 announcement to support the RCMP's ability to staff an additional 1,000 personnel over the next four fiscal years.
In addition, the RCMP actively promotes diversity through targeted recruitment programs, which is essential for the organization to truly represent the communities it serves.
The RCMP has introduced many changes to improve recruitment, including increasing efforts to attract people to apply for a career in the RCMP, reducing application processing times, and removing barriers, particularly for those in employment equity groups.
Further to the Prime Minister's announcement on October 16, 2025, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will receive $1.8 billion over the next four fiscal years to meet the mandate commitment to hire 1000 Royal Canadian Mounted Police personnel, through Budget 2025.
This amount also includes funding to increase the Cadet Recruitment Allowance from $525/week to $1000/week and dedicate 150 new personnel to tackle financial crimes.
Q2 – In light of the Prime Minister's recent commitment to hire 1,000 new RCMP officers how many of these new officers are earmarked for Indigenous and Northern communities specifically
Answer still needed for this question
Q3 – Will the RCMP's recruitment strategy for the 1,000 new officers include a specific commitment to prioritize the hiring of Indigenous candidates
As the RCMP renews its commitment to reconciliation, it continues to prioritize engagement and recruitment of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
The RCMP is working in direct partnership with several National Indigenous Organizations and Governments in relation to distinctions-specific recruiting initiatives within their communities.
The RCMP is dedicated to supporting the recruitment, retention and advancement of First Nation, Inuit and Métis employees through modernizing and sensitizing human resources policies and processes.
In addition, the RCMP is working to educate and engage its workforce on Indigenous cultures and histories, while coordinating outreach activities with Indigenous communities to strengthen relationships and support the wellbeing of First Nation, Inuit and Métis employees.
Q4 – What targeted recruitment, retention, and training strategies are in place to address the barriers that prevent Indigenous people from becoming law enforcement officers
The RCMP is currently running several specialized Indigenous events across Canada, including a career presentation that was delivered in Iqaluit, NU on June 2, 2025.
The National Recruiting Program is continuing to work with the National Indigenous Languages Coordinator to ensure the First Nation, Inuit and Métis Career Presentation is available in numerous Indigenous languages.
The RCMP continues to use programs such as Indigenous Pre-Cadet Training Program (IPTP) to help draw members of the Indigenous community to learn more about what the RCMP training will look like and help them be better prepared for their time at Depot
The RCMP is also prioritizing Indigenous applicants by fast-tracking them through the recruitment process.
The RCMP launched the Indigenous Application Mentorship program (I-AM RCMP) to provide Indigenous applicants with an Indigenous Mentor that can help support and guide them throughout the process. In addition, if barriers are identified for applicants from isolated or northern regions, mentors can aid in identifying a solution for these applicants.
The RCMP is also working toward organizing an Indigenous-only troop with the anticipated timeline of March 2026. Indigenous applicants are given the following options when trooped to Depot, regular troop, troop with an Indigenous cohort and the all-Indigenous Troop.
Ongoing training is provided to all RCMP employees regarding Indigenous culture sensitivity, especially to those policing those communities
The RCMP is also currently working on a First Nations, Indigenous & Metis FNIM Recruitment Strategy to help the Indigenous applicants interested in becoming an RCMP officer
Q5 – What progress has been made in recruiting, training, and graduating First Nation, Indigenous, and Métis cadets through the RCMP Depot program
The total number of First Nation, Indigenous and Métis (FNIM) applicants for the year 2025-26 is approximately 405.
The total number of FNIM applicants trained at Depot is trending up – last year, a total of 59 were trained and this fiscal year, 37 have already been trained.
In 2024-25, a total of 40 FNIM cadets graduated from Depot (5% of graduates).
Q6 – How is the RCMP ensuring that its commitments under the Official Languages Act are being upheld in Indigenous and Northern communities, particularly in terms of bilingual service delivery, recruitment, and cultural inclusivity
The RCMP recognizes that the Official Languages Act is fundamental to Canada, and is committed to making all efforts to respect the substantive equality of status and usage of French and English.
The RCMP takes its linguistic obligations seriously. It has increased targeted recruitment efforts to create a workforce that is more representative of both official languages communities, and has increased access to second official language training to support a bilingual workforce.
As part of its Official Languages Strategy, the RCMP is actively seeking to create a more diverse and inclusive culture, as it relates to the use of official languages, at all levels of the organization.
The RCMP has taken targeted and proactive measures to recruit new police officers from both official language communities, and to increase employee participation in second official language training.
Supports are in place and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure that services and communications are available to both French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians in their preferred official language, as stipulated in the Official Languages Act.
Q7 – What specific measures is the RCMP taking to address recruitment challenges in Indigenous and northern communities, and how is expedited processing being used to ensure adequate policing capacity in these regions
The RCMP, like other police organizations, is facing substantial recruitment challenges, which has a direct impact on the ability to fill hard vacancies.
The RCMP is offering expedited processing to applicants interested in working in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as in the northern regions within the provinces, and the territories.
Advancing Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation in Canada
QP Notes
Q1 – What is Public Safety Canada's contribution to advancing Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada vis-à-vis the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call for Action and UNDRIP/UNDA
Public Safety Canada and its portfolio agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), are committed to advancing Indigenous rights and reconciliation, in the spirit and intent of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Working closely with Indigenous communities and provincial and territorial partners, we implement this commitment through various funding programs, such as the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program, the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative, and the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative, which supports reconciliation in action.
Our overall investments in crime prevention, policing, community safety, corrections, and anti-human trafficking contribute to the Government of Canada's overall efforts to advance the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call for Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) Action Plan.
Q2 – What is Public Safety Canada's and the RCMP's contribution to the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Public Safety Canada programming responds to Calls for Justice 3.4, 3.5, 5.4, 5.5, 5.5(iv), and 14.6, encompassing crime prevention, reducing recidivism and corrections, and expanding access to culturally responsive policing in Inuit and First Nations communities.
The RCMP is proactively responding to Calls for Justice 9.1 and 9.2, 9.2(ii), 9.3, 9.3 (v), 9.4, 9.4(i), 9.5, 9.5 (ii), 9.6, 9.7, and 9.9, which directly work towards building respectful and culturally appropriate police services with Indigenous Peoples, in particular, Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
The RCMP, one of approximately 150 police agencies across Canada, has focussed its activities on those that can address or are aligned to responds to the Calls for Justice within its jurisdiction and mandates.
Overall, the Government of Canada is reporting progress on 130 of the Calls for Justice, which is an increase compared to last year's reported progress on 112 Calls for Justice.
Q3 – What is Public Safety's and the RCMP's contribution to the achievement of the Calls for Action stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Report
Public Safety Canada and RCMP were responsible for addressing CTA #25 (create a written policy that ensures the RCMP can independently investigate crimes) – which is now considered completed.
Q4 – What is Public Safety's and RCMP's contribution to the advancement of the UNDA Action Plan 2023-2028
The 11 Action Plan Measures (APMs) which Public Safety Canada leads or co-leads, contribute to promoting mutual respect and good relationships, bolstering community safety and services, as well as supporting Indigenous people's advancement of self-determination, self-government, equality and participation in decision-making.
The 2 Action Plan Measures (AMPs) which the RCMP leads contribute to the promotion of cultural awareness and coordinating and providing oversight on cases pertaining to Indigenous women and girls.
With the recent release of the fourth Annual Progress Report 2024-25, we recognize how the implementation of these APMs is making a difference for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. However, with these positive strides, we also remain mindful that more work needs to be done to continue incorporating meaningful feedback from Indigenous rights-holders and continue upholding a participatory approach to implementation.
Q5 – How is gender-based violence being addressed in Indigenous policing strategies, and what data is being collected to inform policy
The RCMP and other police services are implementing mandatory cultural sensitivity training to address systemic bias and ensure officers are equipped to respond to cases involving Indigenous Peoples, in particular, women, girls and 2SLQBTQI+ People.
Data on instances of gender-based violence is available through the Police Reporting and Occurrence System (PROS), the Police Records Information Management Environment of British Columbia (PRIME-BC) and Versadex.
In April, 2022, the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics released the report Violence victimization and perceptions of safety: Experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women in Canada, outlining the disproportionate experience of violence among Indigenous women, using data from multiple sources including the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, 2019 General Social Survey on Canadians' Safety (Victimization), and five years (2015 to 2020) of data from the Homicide Survey.
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous organizations, women's groups, 2SLQBTQI+ People is critical in shaping policies and services. This ensures that strategies are informed by diverse perspectives and experiences.
Enforcement and Prosecution of First Nations Laws
QP Notes
Q1 – What is Public Safety Canada doing about the lack of enforcement and prosecution of First Nations laws and by-laws
Effective enforcement of First Nations laws depends on several factors: the extent to which the First Nations' law or by-law aligns with other laws in Canada, such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the capacity of law enforcement to prioritize enforcement operations, and shared clarity on prosecution responsibilities after enforcement action is taken.
The effective enforcement of First Nations laws and by-laws requires coordination across all three areas and requires collaboration between First Nations, provinces and territories and the Government of Canada.
To support the federal role, Public Safety Canada works closely with Indigenous Services Canada, Justice Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and with provinces and territories, to better understand the concerns of First Nations partners and where practical steps can be taken to support the effective enforcement and prosecution of First Nations laws and by-laws.
We look forward to learning from the work in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as approaches to better support the enforcement, adjudication, and prosecution of First Nations laws is underway.
Q2 – Can the Royal Canadian Mounted Police enforce First Nations laws and by-laws
Yes. All police agencies have a role to play in the enforcement of First Nations laws. It is a partnership based upon respect and the common goal of safe communities.
The overarching responsibility of a police officer is to enforce the law, keep the peace, and to protect public safety. In any given matter, police services maintain operational discretion in their decisions.
First Nations laws cover a variety of subject matters and interests including those that are more civil or regulatory. Not all First Nations laws are at their core related to a criminal matter. As such, while a police service may often play an important role, the police are not the exclusive or necessarily always the best enforcement tool.
Police services, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in its contracted role as the police of provincial/territorial jurisdiction, have the authority to enforce validly enacted laws in their discretion.
However, the RCMP is not responsible for the provision of prosecution services.
Q3 – Can elected officials direct the police to enforce First Nations laws and –laws
Elected officials are able to set policing priorities for police services.
This ability is reflected in police service agreements with provinces and territories.
Q4 – What is Public Safety Canada doing about the prosecution of First Nations laws and by-laws
This matter largely falls to Justice Canada, who works with provinces and territories and First Nations to address their interests.
Q5 – Is Private Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Act, an opportunity to address the enforcement of First Nations laws
I recognize the ongoing efforts to address the enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication of First Nations laws and by-laws.
Public Safety Canada is actively supporting discussions among First Nations, federal departments, and the province or territory to address place-specific enforcement challenges.
Q6 – Is Private Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, an opportunity to address the prosecution of First Nations laws
I recognize the ongoing efforts to address the enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication of First Nations laws and by-laws.
This matter largely falls to my colleague, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Q7 – How is the Government of Canada addressing litigation on the enforcement and/or prosecution of First Nations laws and by-laws
I recognize the ongoing efforts to address the enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication of First Nations laws and by-laws as well as the keen interest of First Nations to have challenges addressed.
There is much work to do. Officials are ready to support and work together to get it done.
I cannot comment further, as this matter is before the Courts.
Community Safety Officers
QP Notes
Q1 – What support is Public Safety Canada providing for First Nations Community Safety Officers
Following Budget 2021, under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), Public Safety Canada has worked with several provincial and territorial partners to cost-share Community Safety Officers in First Nations and Inuit communities. Approximately $13M has been invested to date.
Community Safety Officers do not replace the role of a police officer. Rather they are meant to complement the role of police officers by supporting crime prevention efforts, conducting wellness checks, and relaying information and public safety concerns to law enforcement.
In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, First Nations Safety Officers have defined responsibilities as peace officers under provincial law and are increasingly playing a role in the enforcement of First Nations laws and bylaws in collaboration with the police of jurisdiction.
In 2025-2026, Public Safety Canada anticipates more than $8M in cost-shared federal spending to support Community Safety Officer initiatives across 9 provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
Q2 – What outcomes or impacts have been observed from Community Safety Officer (CSO) programming so far
While formal evaluations are ongoing, early feedback from communities and jurisdictions indicates that CSOs are contributing to improved local safety, faster incident reporting, and stronger relationships between First Nations and Inuit communities and policing partners.
We continue to work closely with provincial and territorial partners to measure the results of current investments, which will inform broader federal-provincial-territorial discussion on how to best support improved public safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
Q3 – Why have some jurisdictions experienced delays in implementing CSO programs
Delays have largely been due to jurisdictional readiness, local capacity, and the need to tailor programming to community-specific needs.
Public Safety Canada continues to actively support provinces and territories like Quebec and Nova Scotia to move forward with implementation, and remains responsive to interest from others, including Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
Questions and Answers
Firearms for Hunters and Indigenous
QP Notes
Q1 – How do Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous hunters access firearms
Indigenous Peoples follow the same federal firearms licensing process as all Canadians.
However, adapted regulations recognize unique considerations that may be relevant to Indigenous applicants, such as geography, language, cost, and cultural practices.
Q2 – What are the rules around firearms for Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples are not exempt from federal firearms licensing requirements. However, the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) provide culturally adapted pathways to obtaining a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL).
With respect to the necessary training, if the Canadian Firearms Safety Course is not reasonably accessible, Indigenous applicants may be alternatively certified by an Elder or community leader who confirms their knowledge of firearms safety and relevant laws.
Oral statements, community recommendations, and the use of interpreters are permitted to accommodate language and literacy barriers.
Indigenous minors may also be certified to use firearms under supervision, with endorsements from recognized community members, similar to a minor's licence.
Q3 – How do treaty rights affect firearms use for hunting
Treaty rights can support the use of firearms for sustenance hunting. Courts have affirmed that traditional harvesting practices protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 may evolve to include modern tools, including firearms.
Indigenous hunters may use firearms to exercise constitutionally protected harvesting rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, including for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
Q4 – Is the Samozaryadny Karabin sistemy Simonova (SKS) currently prohibited
The SKS rifle is not prohibited.
It was not included in the prohibitions in May 2020, December 2024 or March 2025.
Q5 – Can Indigenous hunters use restricted or prohibited firearms under treaty rights
No. All individuals, including Indigenous hunters, must comply with federal laws regarding restricted and prohibited firearms. Restricted and prohibited firearms cannot be used for hunting.
For firearms prohibited in 2020, 2024, or 2025, an Amnesty Order provides a temporary exception for Indigenous Peoples exercising rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and for those engaged in sustenance hunting. This allows continued use of newly prohibited firearms (if previously non-restricted) until a suitable replacement can be found before the end of the amnesty period.
More than 19,000 unique makes and models of non-restricted firearms remain available for hunting or sport shooting. This equates to over 127,000 variations of non-restricted firearms.
Q6 – What happens if an Indigenous applicant is denied a firearms licence
The Chief Firearms Officer must consider recommendations from Elders or leaders before refusing a licence or imposing conditions. Applicants may appeal decisions or reapply with additional supporting documentation.
Q7 – With the prohibitions in May 2020, December 2024 and March 2025, are there still firearms available for hunting
More than 19,000 unique makes and models of non-restricted firearms remain available for hunting or sport shooting. This equates to over 127,000 variations of non-restricted firearms.
Q8 – How are the needs of Indigenous Peoples being met in the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP)
Public Safety Canada has engaged with Indigenous communities and organizations throughout the development of the ASFCP. To ensure reach and awareness with Indigenous communities regarding the ASFCP, particular attention will be paid to communication activities.
The application and key program information will also be available in seven Indigenous languages: Mohawk, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Inuktut (South Baffin), Cree, Algonquin, Dene and Mi'kmaq. Information will also be distributed to Indigenous communities via a marketing firm that specializes in communications with Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Public Safety Canada will continue to engage with National Indigenous Organizations on firearms initiatives, including the ASFCP.
Border mobility and Indigenous police forces (Akwesasne/AMPS)
QP Notes
Q1 – How is the Federal Government supporting border enforcement efforts in Akwesasne
Public Safety Canada is committed to border security, and to ensuring that communities near the border, including Akwesasne, remain safe from illegal activities.
Under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), the federal government provides cost-shared funding to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service to support its year-over-year operations.
In addition, and to help combat serious and organized crime in Akwesasne, the Government is investing $10.4 million between 2023 and 2028 under the Organized Crime Initiative to strengthen the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service's investigative capacity and participation in a Joint Investigative Team with RCMP, CBSA, Ontario Provincial Police and United States counterparts.
Public Safety Canada will continue to support the Akwesasne under these various initiatives, and by engaging directly with community leadership and law enforcement to address trafficking and organized crime, and to uphold the integrity of Canada's border.
Q2 – Does the federal government intend to establish an Exemption Order to allow U.S. officers to transit through Akwesasne
Public Safety Canada received a formal request from the United States Department of Homeland Security to amend the United States Enforcement Officers Exemption Order, 2025 (Marine Transportation of Firearms), to allow officers to transit through Canadian waters in Akwesasne in order to access and effectively patrol the Saint Regis River (located on the U.S. side).
The Department is committed to discussing this request with the community and exploring how enhanced cooperation can both strengthen enforcement against organized crime and deliver tangible benefits for the residents of Akwesasne.
Q3 – How might increased security at the border adversely impact the mobility of border communities within their territory
The measures being advanced as part of Bill C-12 are designed to enhance public safety, support victims, and improve law enforcement capabilities. However, we understand there are concerns about how this could impact border communities, including Akwesasne residents.
Public Safety Canada, alongside its Portfolio agencies have been engaged on efforts to address the complex border-crossing and migration challenges faced by Indigenous peoples whose communities span the Canada–U.S. border.
In 2024, in service of implementing the Action Plan Measure Shared Priority 52 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency consulted with Indigenous communities, and compiled feedback into a published What We Heard Report. The report gives important insight into the challenges being faced by border communities.
This is a complex issue, and the Government of Canada is committed to taking into account considerations and concerns raised by Indigenous partners, staying informed on how measures to enhance border security impact border communities, and working collaboratively towards solutions.
Overrepresentation (FFRR / ICCI)
QP Notes
Q1 – What is being done to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system
Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately represented at all levels of the criminal justice system, including in federal and provincial institutions. Overrepresentation within the criminal justice system is further amplified in the context of justice-involved Indigenous women.
For this reason, the Government of Canada continues to invest in addressing gaps in services to Indigenous Peoples, and to meaningfully address their overrepresentation through culturally appropriate initiatives such as the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (the ICCI) at Public Safety Canada.
The Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative works to meaningfully address the disproportionate overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system by supporting grassroots efforts that offer alternative measures to incarceration or are working to reintegrate justice-involved Indigenous Peoples.
3 ICCI-funded projects are set to begin in 2025, with 7 in development and expected to begin before the end of the fiscal year. Work is also underway to develop 17 additional potential ICCI projects for an early start in 2026-27.
ICCI is actively supporting the implementation of the Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), a key federal tool to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system.
On October 24, 2025, Public Safety Canada released the first Progress Report on the Framework. This report outlines the federal progress made in reducing recidivism, supporting the successful reintegration of individuals exiting federal custody, and tackling systemic factors contributing to Indigenous overrepresentation.
The report highlights federal initiatives that integrate Indigenous-led, trauma-informed practices, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities. These efforts ensure that solutions are locally driven and culturally grounded.
Canada's approach to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous People in the criminal justice system is comprehensive and grounded in culturally responsive, community-based strategies. These strategies promote reintegration, reduce systemic barriers, and expand alternatives to incarceration for Indigenous Peoples.
Q2 – ICCI: Delays in issuing funding
The Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative received over 119 applications and underwent a robust three-level assessment process. The team is currently working closely with successful applicants on project development. Three (3) ICCI-funded projects are now set to begin in 2025, with seven (7) in development and expected to begin before the end of the fiscal year. Work is also underway to develop seventeen (17) additional potential ICCI projects for an early start in 2026-27.
Q3 – ICCI: Measuring results
The Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative will evaluate its success based on several key indicators: the number of projects funded, enhanced perceptions of achieving desired outcomes, the provision of alternatives to incarceration, and increased knowledge surrounding community reintegration.
The initiative is also partnering with Statistics Canada on a project designed to measure how and if ICCI-funded projects are effective in preventing and reducing the recontact of justice-involved Indigenous Peoples with the criminal justice system.
Contract Policing
QP Notes
Q1 – Why is the Government examining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Contract Policing program
Canada's public safety landscape is evolving rapidly in response to increasingly complex and transnational threats. From cybercrime and organized crime to national security challenges, the demands on policing are greater than ever before. In this context, it's imperative that Canada's policing frameworks remain responsive, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of Canadians.
As the current Police Service Agreement will be expiring in 2032, the government is seeking to address emerging threats, program sustainability and balance between its federal and contract policing responsibilities while meeting the diverse needs of communities across the country.
Q2 – What is the Government of Canada's position regarding the future of contract policing following the expiration of the current Police Services Agreements (PSAs) in 2032
The Government remains firmly committed to supporting the RCMP and ensuring it is well equipped and strategically positioned to safeguard Canadians in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving threat environment.
In this context, the Government is prioritizing and strengthening federal policing services by investing $1.8B while at the same time maintaining the delivery of contract policing services beyond 2032.
As committed by Public Safety's Minister at the October 16th-17th, 2025 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Justice and Public Safety, the government is also committed in working collaboratively with jurisdictions that seek to establish their own independent policing model and with First Nations and Inuit communities, to support the delivery of equitable, culturally appropriates, and community-informed policing.
Indigenous Community Safety (ACSPI and NICPF)
QP Notes
Q1 – Besides policing, what is Public Safety doing to improve safety and well-being outcomes in Indigenous communities
Indigenous communities, like all communities in Canada, should be a place where people and families feel safe and secure.
This is why the Government has invested in initiatives like the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI), which supports community-led planning through a process that builds the capacity of community members to work together on the safety issues of concern to them.
This initiative uses a grass-roots approach to engage with communities, support their development of a Community Safety Plan, and implement community-designed safety projects.
Over 100 Community Safety Plans have been created with support from this initiative to date, and the program aims to complete up to 25 additional plans per year going forward.
Another Public Safety funding program is the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF). This supports culturally sensitive projects that reduce vulnerability to crime and promote community safety approaches in Indigenous communities and in the North.
The NICPF also builds capacity and promotes Indigenous crime prevention best practices. Currently, 12 projects across Canada are being supported through the Fund.
Q2 – ACSPI: Accessing contribution funding
The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative is unique to other programs in that the completion of a Community Safety Plan is required before proposals for funding can be supported.
We are aware that the implementation of a Community Safety Plan can be challenging for some communities given they have to deal with many competing priorities, which can cause delays in finalizing the necessary work to access contribution funding.
This is why we are actively engaging with communities with completed safety plans to develop implementation projects, and we also work with other potential funding partners to assist communities in securing funding to implement their safety plans.
Q3 – Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund
The Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund provides funding for innovative crime prevention practices that incorporate Indigenous worldviews and are culturally sensitive.
The program has $6 million in annual funding and supports projects in Indigenous communities both on and off-reserve, and in the North.
These projects address risk and protective factors; reduce vulnerability to crime; promote community safety approaches; and, build capacity and knowledge. Projects focus on at-risk populations, particularly children, youth, and high-risk offenders.
This program and others at Public Safety are a key part of the Government of Canada's efforts to tackle crime in order to build stronger, healthier communities.
Modern Treaties and Self-Government Agreements
QP Notes
Q1 – What do modern treaties and self-government agreements say about enforcement of Indigenous laws and policing
Recently, negotiated self-government agreements and modern treaties recognize the responsibility of the Indigenous government for the enforcement of its laws and the jurisdiction of the Indigenous government to appoint enforcement officials, as well as enable Indigenous governments to enter into agreements with other enforcement bodies for the enforcement of the Indigenous government's laws.
Further, negotiated agreements also recognize the ability of the Indigenous government to establish a police service in accordance with provincial law, and if authorized by the province or territory.
Q2 – Can Indigenous enforcement officials appointed under a self-governing Indigenous government's law act as police officers
Indigenous enforcement officials are distinct from police officers as they focus on enforcement of the Indigenous government's laws rather than the enforcement of criminal law.
Indigenous governments are responsible, like any government, for ensuring that enforcement officials have appropriate training and meet standards comparable to federal or provincial/territorial officials performing similar functions.
The powers of Indigenous enforcement officials do not exceed those of federal or provincial/territorial enforcement officials enforcing similar laws.
Q3 – Does Canada make self-government or modern treaty commitments related to policing
Given the jurisdiction of the provinces for the administration of justice within the province, and the importance of harmonization of policing to ensure Canadians are safe, when matters of policing are raised, Canada seeks to engage with the province or territory.
[If needed] The Eeyou Eenou Police Service, Naskapi Police Service, and Nunavik Police Service are unique in that they are recognized in the first comprehensive land claim agreements in Canada, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement. Quebec is a party to both of these agreements.
Q4 – Do self-government agreements provide funds for the enforcement of Indigenous laws
Canada's approach to the intergovernmental fiscal relationship with self-governing Indigenous governments and modern treaty holders is outlined in a publicly available policy, Canada's collaborative self-government fiscal policy.
This includes funding for governance and administration, based on a co-developed expenditure needs methodology.
Backgrounders
Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada - First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP)
Performance audit reports
This report presents the results of a performance audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) under the authority of the Auditor General Act.
A performance audit is an independent, objective, and systematic assessment of how well government is managing its activities, responsibilities, and resources. Audit topics are selected on the basis of their significance. While the OAG may comment on policy implementation in a performance audit, it does not comment on the merits of a policy.
Performance audits are planned, performed, and reported in accordance with professional auditing standards and OAG policies. They are conducted by qualified auditors who
establish audit objectives and criteria for the assessment of performance
gather the evidence necessary to assess performance against the criteria
report both positive and negative findings
conclude against the established audit objectives
make recommendations for improvement when there are significant differences between criteria and assessed performance
Performance audits contribute to a public service that is ethical and effective and a government that is accountable to Parliament and Canadians.
Cat. No. FA1-27/2024-1-3E-PDF
ISBN 978-0-660-70002-1
ISSN 2561-343X
Cover photo: Daniel Avram/Shutterstock.com
At a Glance
Overall message
The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is a cost-shared program between the federal government and provinces or territories intended to contribute to the improvement of the safety and security in First Nations and Inuit communities. Overall, Public Safety Canada, as the lead in managing and overseeing the program, did not work in partnership with Indigenous communities to provide equitable access to policing services that were tailored to their needs. Under the program, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) can be a service provider. We found that when this was the case, the RCMP did not work in partnership with Indigenous communities to deliver dedicated and tailored policing services that supplemented those provided under agreements with their respective province or territory.
Although funding of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program has increased significantly since our last audit in 2014, we again found critical shortcomings in its management. Funds allocated to the program are going unspent, which is concerning in the context of a program intended to support the safety of Indigenous communities—we found that $13 million of program funds related to the 2022–23 fiscal year went unspent. As of October 2023, Public Safety Canada was at risk of not disbursing over $45 million of funds for the 2023–24 fiscal year.
In its management of the program, Public Safety Canada did not have an approach to allocate funds equitably to communities. The department told us that it relied on the provinces' or territories' readiness to fund their share of the program and on the past funding received by communities to determine the amounts allocated. We also found a lack of consistent engagement and partnership with communities by the department.
We found that the RCMP did not consistently meet the terms of the community tripartite agreements. For example, in our sample of 26 communities served by the RCMP under the program, we found that only 38% of these communities were served by RCMP detachments that noted that their officers could spend 100% of their time dedicated to the community as required. We also found that because of staffing shortages, the RCMP has been unable to fully staff the positions for which it receives funding under the program's agreements over the past 5 years, leaving First Nations and Inuit communities underserved.
Neither Public Safety Canada nor the RCMP collected sufficient information or analyzed the information collected to identify whether requirements set out in policing agreements were being met and whether the program was achieving its intended results. It is important to monitor and analyze data not only to meet the communities' security and safety needs but also to support the self-determination of communities. Public Safety Canada's poor performance measurement is a gap we also identified in 2014.
By not fulfilling some of their responsibilities under the program, Public Safety Canada's and the RCMP's actions are not aligned with building trust with First Nations and Inuit communities and with the federal government's commitment to truth and reconciliation.
Key facts and findings
The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program was created in 1991. The program's policy, last updated in 1996, sets out to provide First Nations and Inuit communities access to police services that are professional, effective, culturally appropriate, and accountable to the communities they serve.
According to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, in 2021, there were approximately 680 First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada. Public Safety Canada data indicates that as of the 2020–21 fiscal year, the program had 36 self-administered police service agreements, which covered 155 communities, and 140 community tripartite agreements, which covered 230 communities.
There have been reports, calls for justice, human rights complaints, and litigation highlighting concerns and challenges associated with the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
In 2021, additional funding of more than $500 million was announced for Public Safety Canada to stabilize and expand the program, but limited expansion was
The RCMP is responsible for assigning dedicated officers to the First Nations and Inuit communities under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program in addition to the provincial and territorial policing services provided under separate contracts.
The RCMP was not able to fully staff positions funded by the program. In the 2022–23 fiscal year, 61 funded positions in community tripartite agreements remained vacant.
3.1 Supporting the safety needs of Indigenous communities is a complex endeavour. Policing services provided to these communities need to consider the diversity of Indigenous peoples and communities. According to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, in 2021, there were approximately 680 First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada. These communities vary in size, remoteness, and density of population and have their own unique histories, languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. Policing services offered to these communities must also recognize the legacy of colonial oppression, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the systemic racism and intergenerational trauma that can affect Indigenous peoples' trust in policing services, such as those offered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
3.2 The federal government's role in policing services in First Nations and Inuit communities is grounded in the Constitution Act, 1867. The provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction over the administration of justice, which includes policing; however, the federal government has jurisdiction in respect of Indigenous peoples and the land of the reserves they live on. To support responsive policing, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments need to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities.
3.3 In 1990, given Indigenous communities' and government concerns about the adequacy of policing services and the ability of existing services to deal with the unique needs of Indigenous communities, a federal task force examined on-reserve policing. It revealed that First Nations communities did not have access to a level and quality of policing services, such as response times, equal to non-Indigenous communities in similar locations. As a result, in 1991, the federal government introduced the First Nations Policing Policy and created the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, originally called the First Nations Policing Program, to implement the policy. In 1996, the policy was updated with the purpose to "contribute to the improvement of social order, public security, and personal safety in First Nations communities, including that of women, children, and other vulnerable groups." This included providing First Nations and Inuit communities with access to policing services that were professional, effective, and responsive to the needs of communities.
Agreements and funding
3.4 The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is a contribution1 program for the funding and negotiation of policing agreements among the federal government, provincial and territorial governments, and First Nations and Inuit communities. The costs of the policing agreements are shared between the federal government (52%) and the relevant province or territory (48%).
3.5 The program has 2 main types of agreements for policing:
Self-administered police service agreements. A First Nations or Inuit police service provides day-to-day policing services. Public Safety Canada provides the federal portion of the funding to the First Nations or Inuit police service.
Community tripartite agreements. The RCMP provides dedicated policing services to a First Nations or Inuit community that supplements the police services available through the province or territory.
To establish community tripartite agreements, Public Safety Canada needs to first enter into a framework agreement with the specific province or territory of jurisdiction. These framework agreements set the terms and conditions under which the governments will support the provision of the program within the province or territory.
3.6 Once these frameworks are signed, Public Safety Canada can then negotiate community tripartite agreements with provinces or territories and First Nations or Inuit communities. The RCMP is the service provider and not a signatory to the community tripartite agreements.
3.7 The type and number of self-administered and community tripartite agreements under the program can vary between jurisdictions. For example, Quebec has only self-administered police service agreements, while British Columbia has mostly community tripartite agreements. See Exhibit 1 for a map of how each type of agreement is distributed across Canada by population covered. The length of self-administered and community tripartite agreements vary from 1 to 10 years. As part of the establishment of these agreements, the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy states the importance of promoting partnerships with First Nations communities "based on trust, mutual respect and participation in decision making." According to Public Safety Canada, as of the 2020–21 fiscal year, the program had 36 self-administered police service agreements, which covered 155 communities, and 140 community tripartite agreements, which covered 230 communities. As policing services are under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories, communities not covered by the program would be reliant on policing services through their municipal, provincial, or territorial governments.
Exhibit 3.1— Community tripartite agreements and self-administered police service agreements in Canada
Note: In a self-administered police service agreement, a First Nations or Inuit police service provides day-to-day policing services. In a community tripartite agreement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provides dedicated policing services to a First Nations or Inuit community that supplements the police services available through the province or territory.
Source: Based on information from Public Safety Canada
Documented challenges and commitments
3.8 In our 2014 audit of Public Safety Canada's First Nations Policing Program, we concluded that the program was not adequately designed to deliver and did not adequately ensure that policing services on First Nations reserves were delivered in a manner consistent with the principles of the program's policy.
3.9 In addition to our performance audit, there have been reports, calls for justice, human rights complaints, and litigation highlighting concerns and challenges associated with policing services offered to Indigenous peoples and, more specifically, concerns related to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. For example, in 2022, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the implementation of the program by the Government of Canada resulted in systemic discrimination against the Première Nation des Pekuakamiulnuatsh (Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation). Also in 2022, the Court of Appeal of Quebec ordered the governments of Canada and Quebec to reimburse the First Nation for funding deficits in its policing services. The tribunal and the court of appeal each noted systemic deficits and underfunding of the program in their decisions. Both decisions are currently under appeal.
3.10 First Nations have voiced the need for a new legislative and funding framework for the program. They have also advocated for legislation that would deem First Nations policing services as essential services like policing services in municipalities, provinces, and territories in Canada. The federal government has committed to work in partnership with Indigenous communities, the provinces, the territories, and other partners. In 2015, it committed to fully implementing recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and to implementing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes achieving the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which are important to policing in First Nations and Inuit communities:
Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
In 2021, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act came into force and the Minister of Public Safety was mandated to co-develop legislation that recognized First Nations policing services as essential services.
Roles and responsibilities
3.11 Public Safety Canada. This department manages and oversees the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. It is responsible for working with provinces, territories, and First Nations and Inuit communities to negotiate and implement the self-administered police service agreements and the community tripartite agreements that meet the needs of each community. Public Safety Canada has 5 regional offices across Canada whose responsibilities include supporting the program's delivery.
3.12 Public Safety Canada's Indigenous Affairs Branch leads and supports the implementation of Public Safety Canada's priorities related to Indigenous policing and justice. These priorities included co-developing federal legislation on First Nations policing services.
3.13 The RCMP delivers dedicated policing services to First Nations and Inuit communities that supplement policing services provided by provincial and territorial police agreements. Under the community tripartite agreements, the RCMP is the service provider and is not a signatory to the agreements. In order for the RCMP to carry out its responsibilities under the program, Public Safety Canada transfers the federal portion of the funding to the RCMP. The RCMP has 13 geographical divisions outside its headquarters. Within these divisions, the RCMP operates detachments to support policing operations across Canada.
Focus of the audit
3.14 This audit focused on whether
Public Safety Canada, under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to provide equitable access to police services that are tailored to the needs of communities
the RCMP, under the program, worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to deliver dedicated and tailored police services that supplement the services provided to provinces and territories under police service agreements
3.15 This audit examined equitable access to policing services on the basis of how available funds were allocated to current program recipients.
3.16 This audit is important because policing services are intended to protect the safety and security of individuals. Because many existing policing systems in Canada were introduced in Indigenous communities through colonization, ensuring that Indigenous communities receive policing services that recognize and respect their culture, history, and rights is essential. Supporting responsive, effective policing services that meet the needs of Indigenous communities also supports the federal government's commitment to reconciliation.
3.17 More details about the audit objective, scope, approach, and criteria are in About the Audit at the end of this report.
Findings and Recommendations
Public Safety Canada poorly managed the program
Why this finding matters
3.18 This finding matters because Indigenous communities are facing complex and significant challenges stemming from colonization, which are compounded by health and socio-economic inequities. Access to appropriate and culturally responsive policing services provided through the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is integral to promoting the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities and supporting self-determination and reconciliation.
Context
3.19 Since our 2014 audit, the program has received increased funding in 2018 and See Exhibit 3.2 for the funding announced and the intended use of these funds.
Table 1: Exhibit 3.2 — New federal funding announced for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program in 2018 and 2021
Year
New program funding
2018
$44.8 million over 4 years to allocate 110 new police officers to existing program recipients
$144.4 million over 5 years to existing agreement holders for policing service delivery
2021
$540.3 million over 5 years and $126.8 million ongoing to stabilize existing police services and to expand the program to new First Nations and Inuit communities
$43.7 million over 5 years to co-develop legislation to recognize First Nations policing services as essential services
Source: Public Safety Canada website and Budget 2021
3.20 When the program receives new federal funding, Public Safety Canada informs the provinces and territories about the funding Under the program's cost-sharing structure, the provinces and territories are to provide 48% of funding for new or expanded investments in
3.21 First Nations and Inuit community policing. Once a province or territory secures its share, Public Safety Canada and the province or territory negotiate new or renewed agreements with the First Nations and Inuit communities. The expenditures for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program totalled approximately $930 million from the 2018–19 to 2022–23 fiscal years. This includes the expenditures of both Public Safety Canada and the RCMP and includes both self-administered police service agreements and community tripartite agreements. These expenditures exclude Public Safety Canada salaries and other operational costs (Exhibit 3.3).
Exhibit 3.3—Public Safety Canada and the RCMP expenditures for the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, 2018–19 to 2022–23
RCMP: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Note: Public Safety Canada expenditures do not include the department's salaries and other operational costs.
Source: Based on information from Public Safety Canada and the RCMP
Poor financial management oversight
Findings
3.22 We found that Public Safety Canada provided poor financial management oversight of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program funding. The department did not know how much of the additional program funding it had allocated to the specific self-administered police service agreements and community tripartite agreements, and it did not know what amount of funding remained to be allocated. Public Safety Canada officials told us the department lacked modernized information technology systems to efficiently monitor and track program spending.
3.23 In the 2022–23 fiscal year, Public Safety Canada did not disburse about $17 million of the approximately $196-million program funds While some of the undisbursed funds were approved for use in 2023–24, $9.4 million remained unused by the program.
3.24 Furthermore, in the same fiscal year, Public Safety Canada did not verify whether the funds transferred to the RCMP were being used for program costs or on other policing services. We found that the RCMP did not spend $3.6 million of the program funding provided by Public Safety Canada in 2022–23. According to Public Safety Canada, the department last performed a review in 2018–19 of RCMP expenditures to ensure that funds were used for the program. However, the department could not provide documentation of this review.
3.25 When combining Public Safety Canada's undisbursed program funds of $9.4 million and the RCMP's unspent funds of $3.6 million, a total of $13.0 million related to the 2022–23 fiscal year was not spent on the program.
3.26 As of October 2023, Public Safety Canada anticipates that over $45 million in program funds will be left undisbursed at the end of the 2023–24 fiscal year. The failure to disburse funds in a timely manner is significant because of the concerns raised about the underfunding of this program, which is intended to support the well-being of First Nations and Inuit communities.
3.27 Public Safety Canada officials explained to us that they were not solely responsible for decisions related to the allocation of program funds. They noted that without the funding from the provinces or territories, the department cannot enter into new policing agreements or renew agreements to provide additional funding, which can lead to unused program funds.
Limited expansion of the program despite additional funding
Findings
3.28 With the additional funding announced in 2021 (Exhibit 3.2), Public Safety Canada was to stabilize and, starting in the 2022–23 fiscal year, expand the program. The expansion of the program was to include signing new agreements with communities not currently in the program or adding communities to existing agreements supporting communities under an existing community tripartite agreement to transition to a self-administered police service agreement
3.29 We found that Public Safety Canada made limited progress in expanding the program to First Nations and Inuit communities not yet funded by the program, despite their commitments and plans to do so. This included increasing the number of communities under self-administered police service agreements and expanding the program to the North. Since additional funding was received to expand the program, no communities had been added to an existing self-administered police service agreement within our audit period. However, one agreement was finalized in September 2023, shortly after our audit period.
3.30 As for the expansion to the North, the department extended the program to Nunavut by signing a framework agreement with the territorial government in It also increased the funding allocated under its framework agreement with the Northwest Territories. While the framework agreements are an important first step to expansion, in order to receive enhanced policing services by the RCMP under the program, First Nations and Inuit communities need signed community tripartite agreements to be in place. No community tripartite agreements have yet been signed in these 2 territories.
3.31 Public Safety Canada officials told us that they jointly decided with the provinces and territories to focus the additional 2021 funding on stabilizing existing agreements over expanding the program to new communities given gaps between the funding available and the needs of communities already in the program.
3.32 We also found that Public Safety Canada did not know the full demand of the program. The department had no application process for First Nations and Inuit communities that wanted to join the program or for existing program recipients to apply for additional funding. We had a similar finding a decade ago. As part of the current audit, department officials told us that there was no application process because of the limited funding available. Public Safety Canada officials also noted that given provinces and territories have jurisdiction over the administration of justice, which includes policing, the provinces and territories have a key role in determining where additional funds are most needed within their jurisdiction.
Lack of approach to support equitable funding decisions
Findings
3.33 We found that Public Safety Canada had not defined what equitable funding meant despite the program's policy outlining the need for the program to be supported by consistent and equitable funding arrangements. Additionally, the department did not have an approach to allocate funds equitably to program recipients.
3.34 We found that the department, in collaboration with their provincial and territorial partners, had developed funding priorities or criteria to allocate some of the additional funds from 2018 and 2021. For example, it considered issues pertaining to officer safety and the remoteness of However, we found that on the basis of the records of decisions related to funding allocation, it was unclear how these priorities or criteria were used. Public Safety Canada officials told us that ultimately, the provinces' or territories' readiness to fund their share of the program and the historical funding received by program recipients determined how much funding was allocated.
Lack of consistent engagement and partnership with communities
Findings
3.35 We found a lack of consistent engagement and partnership with communities that were funded under the First Nations and Inuit Policing We were told by Public Safety Canada officials that engagement is limited with communities under community tripartite agreements given that these agreements include an auto-renewal clause and that the last formal conversations between the department and most community tripartite agreement holders was in 2018. In our sample of 26 communities under community tripartite agreements, all had an auto-renewal clause that could range from 10 to 15 years. This means that Public Safety Canada could defer its engagement with communities for many years. In our view, regular engagement with communities is important to build strong partnerships and understand the needs of First Nations and Inuit communities.
3.36 We also examined a sample of 12 self-administered We found that Public Safety Canada had more engagement with communities under these agreements. However, Public Safety Canada officials told us that before engaging with communities, the funding available to these communities had already been determined on the basis of available federal funding and the province's readiness to fund its share.
3.37 This finding was consistent with concerns we heard from First Nations and Inuit communities during our audit. They shared that their engagement with Public Safety Canada did not reflect true negotiations. Opportunities for the signatory communities to provide input and participate in decision making on policing services are fundamental to supporting self-determination and reconciliation efforts.
3.38 We had a similar finding related to community engagement in our 2014 audit of the At the time, Public Safety Canada agreed with our recommendation to ensure that communities had meaningful input when entering into policing agreements. As part of the current audit, Public Safety Canada officials noted that its current and past staffing levels had not been sufficient to appropriately support ongoing and meaningful engagement with the program-funded communities across Canada.
3.39 We also found that except for one of its regional offices, Public Safety Canada did not require its staff to complete cultural awareness training on Indigenous culture and history. Furthermore, we found that the department did not have for its staff working directly with First Nations and Inuit communities any guidelines that outlined expectations for community engagement and negotiations. In our view, such guidance would assist with engagement and working in partnership with First Nations and Inuit communities. These findings do not align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada call to action for the government to provide training to public servants and with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples commitment to promote understanding and good relations between government and Indigenous peoples.
Lack of information to measure the program's effectiveness
Findings
3.40 We found that Public Safety Canada did not know whether the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program was achieving most of its key expected results. Therefore, the department did not know whether the program was effective. Public Safety Canada reported on the access to funding by First Nations and Inuit communities and crime statistics within these communities. However, it did not monitor or report on whether the program was funding police services that were dedicated and responsive to the needs and culture of these communities. This is despite Public Safety Canada having agreed to our recommendation in 2014 to refine the performance measurement strategy of the program.
3.41 Self-administered police service agreements require that First Nations and Inuit police services provide information, including audited financial statements and annual activity reports, to Public Safety Canada to receive funding. We found that once the department received the annual activity reports, which included information such as community-specific crime and intervention statistics and complaints, it did not aggregate and subsequently analyze the information contained in the activity reports of program recipients. In our view, the department missed opportunities to use this information to
determine the program's effectiveness
identify trends, needs, and risks that could inform funding requests
make program adjustments
provide valuable input to self-administered police services and the communities they serve
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Source: United Nations
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Source: United Nations
Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
Source: United Nations
3.42 We also found that Public Safety Canada did not have sufficient information to know whether the RCMP was able to meet some ofthe requirements of community tripartite agreements. For example, it did not have a system in place to monitor whether the RCMP officers serving communities under such an agreement devoted 100% of their work hours to the First Nations or Inuit community as required (see paragraph 3.52 for requirements of the community tripartite agreement).
3.43 Furthermore, we found that the gathering and analyzing of program data were so limited that Public Safety Canada did not have an accurate listing of the signed community tripartite agreements. This information is important in order to have an accurate representation of the number of communities covered under the community tripartite agreements and to support good decision making and program management.
3.44 We also found that Public Safety Canada did not have information on whether the program was designed and delivered to be inclusive and gender- and diversity-sensitive. This was despite the program's policy noting that the program aims to contribute to the improvement of social order, public security, and personal safety in First Nations and Inuit communities, including that of women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
3.45 The 2019 Final Report of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called on the federal government to gather distinction-based data (how each First Nations and Inuit community is different) and intersectional data (how aspects of identity overlap to create and deepen discrimination and inequalities) about Indigenous women, girls, and 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people. By not gathering such data, Public Safety Canada could not examine whether the program was reducing the inequities faced by these groups. The department was also missing the opportunity to contribute to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
3.46 In addition, we found that as of November 2023, the department had not updated the program's policy. This was despite the fact that as part of our 2014 audit of the program, Public Safety Canada had indicated that the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy was outdated and impractical and had agreed to our recommendation to update the policy.
Recommendation
3.47 Many of our findings and resulting recommendations for Public Safety Canada are interrelated. Furthermore, some align with findings and recommendations we made in 2014.
3.48 Given the long-standing issues with the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, and given the federal government's commitment to truth and reconciliation, Public Safety Canada should work with First Nations and Inuit communities, the provinces and territories, and the RCMP to develop and implement a renewed approach to the program. This approach should include
updating the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy
immediately revising the current funding allocation process so that it allows for the timely funding to recipients, the disbursement of program funds, and the achievement of the department's commitment to equitable funding. The revision should take into account the timing of provincial and territorial funding as well as solutions to disburse federal funds available when provinces and territories are unable to secure their share of the funding.
developing a mechanism to track the interest, needs, and demand for the program by The information collected should be used to inform future funding requests and equitable allocation for the program.
working in partnership with program recipients in a consistent and meaningful manner. Engagement by department officials should be supported by monitoring and feedback, mandatory cultural training, and guidance on the nature, timing, frequency, and expected measurable outcomes of engagement.
updating performance measurement and reporting so that the department, provinces and territories, and First Nations and Inuit communities know whether the program is achieving its intended results and outcomes and so that the department can make adjustments as needed. This approach should be culturally sensitive and include collecting, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting performance data that is distinction-based and intersectional.
The RCMP did not consistently deliver on its responsibilities under the program
Why this finding matters
3.49 This finding matters because the purpose of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is to provide communities with policing services that are dedicated and responsive to First Nations and Inuit communities' needs.
Context
3.50 The RCMP policing services provided as part of the program are meant to supplement the policing services available through the province or territory. This distinction is particularly important in the jurisdictions where the RCMP serves as the provincial police service and is also providing policing services under the program. Services under the program aim to address the needs of the community being served and emphasize a community-based and proactive policing approach.
3.51 Only 3 provinces in Canada have a provincial police In the absence of provincial police force coverage, provinces and territories sign contracts with the RCMP to provide policing services within the jurisdiction. The RCMP is responsible for assigning dedicated officers to the First Nations and Inuit communities under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, in addition to the provincial and territorial policing services provided under separate contracts. The federal government pays a higher portion (52%) for policing under the program than when it funds the RCMP directly for separate policing contracts with provinces and territories (30%).
3.52 Once RCMP officers are assigned to a community tripartite agreement position under the program (an agreement signed between the federal government, a province or territory, and a First Nations or Inuit community), they are required, among other things, to
dedicate 100% of their regular working hours performing work related to the First Nations or Inuit community
become familiar with the culture and traditions of the community and provide community and crime-prevention policing (for example, attending community events and doing prevention activities in schools)
work collaboratively with communities to establish policing priorities
monitor and report progress on community policing priorities
Insufficient number of RCMP officers dedicated to communities
Findings
3.53 We examined a sample of 26 communities under a community tripartite agreement to determine whether RCMP officers were meeting the requirements of spending 100% of their working hours dedicated to the community under the agreement. We found that only 10 (38%) of the 26 communities from our sample were served by RCMP detachments that indicated they could consistently meet the requirement. RCMP detachments unable to meet this requirement indicated to us that RCMP officers under the program must often fulfill other responsibilities because of overall staffing shortages. This means that RCMP officers may not be fully dedicated to the First Nations or Inuit community they are supposed to serve.
3.54 We found that over the past 5 years, the RCMP had not fully staffed the community tripartite agreement positions that it received funding for from the program. This means that some communities with community tripartite agreements were not being served by the agreed-on number of officers to enhance the policing services provided through provincial or territorial police service agreements.
3.55 In the last 3 years, as program funding for officers had increased, the RCMP had not been able to fill these additional positions, leading to a greater difference between the number of officer positions funded and the number filled (Exhibit 3.4).
3.56 We found that, although the RCMP had acknowledged broader staffing challenges, it had no national staffing approach to fill its obligations under the community tripartite agreements as police service providers. RCMP divisions had to work among themselves to address resource gaps. RCMP officials told us that the RCMP struggled to attract new recruits to community tripartite agreement positions due to factors such as remoteness.
3.57 RCMP officials told us that community tripartite agreements can be signed with communities without Public Safety Canada first determining whether RCMP officers are available to meet the terms of the agreement. This is consistent with what we were told by Public Safety Canada regional staff in jurisdictions with community tripartite agreements, who, except for those in 1 region, confirmed that they did not engage with the RCMP before signing the agreements. This means that First Nations and Inuit communities are signing agreements with the expectation of having dedicated and tailored policing services, but the RCMP may not be able to meet the terms of the agreement. In our view, in the context of reconciliation and the complex history between the RCMP and First Nations and Inuit communities, this process is detrimental to building trust.
Exhibit 3.4—The RCMP received community tripartite agreement funding for more officer positions than it could fill from 2018–19 to 2022–23
Source: United Nations
RCMP: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Note: In a community tripartite agreement, the RCMP provides dedicated policing to a First Nations or Inuit community that supplements the police services available through the province or territory.
Source: Based on information from RCMP year-end report
Recommendation
3.58 Public Safety Canada and the RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities and with provinces and territories, should collaborate before new and renewed community tripartite agreements are signed to determine what is possible to offer to communities on the basis of resource capacity.
3.59 The RCMP should develop and implement a national strategy to address staffing shortages in community tripartite positions in order to ensure that RCMP officers assigned to First Nations and Inuit communities are able to deliver on their responsibilities under the program. As part of this, the RCMP should consult with First Nations and Inuit communities and with Public Safety Canada to understand the interest in the program, community needs, and trends.
No requirement for culturally specific training to understand the culture of the community being served
Findings
3.60 The community tripartite agreements require that RCMP officers be familiar with the specific culture and traditions of the First Nations or Inuit community they serve. However, while we were told by some divisions that they offered training initiatives specific to the communities they served, we found that overall, the RCMP did not require its officers assigned to positions within the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program to complete any cultural sensitivity training beyond the mandatory cultural sensitivity training offered to all RCMP officers. This contradicts the RCMP's own efforts to align with the Government of Canada's commitment to truth and reconciliation. In our opinion, additional training is important to better understand the specific culture of the First Nations or Inuit community and to build relationships and trust within the communities.
Recommendation
3.61 The RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities, should develop mechanisms to ensure that the RCMP officers working under community tripartite agreements become familiar with the culture and traditions of the community they serve as required in the agreements. The participation in these activities should be monitored by the RCMP.
Inconsistent implementation and monitoring of whether policing services promote partnerships with communities
Findings
3.62 We found that the RCMP did not consistently monitor whether detachments were meeting the requirements of the community tripartite agreements. There was no national approach for the RCMP to monitor whether detachments were
providing community-based policing or prevention
engaging in activities to promote partnerships with communities, such as setting policing priorities with communities and establishing letters of expectation
reporting to communities
3.63 We found that in our sample of 26 communities with community tripartite agreements, RCMP officers from detachments serving these communities varied in their description of the primary duties of officers. Under the program, services offered by the RCMP are meant to supplement the policing services available through the province or territory and should include community-based policing (such as crime- prevention activities). However, in 7 (27%) of the communities in our sample, the RCMP officers from detachments informed us that the primary duties were responding to calls and enforcement. In addition, RCMP officers told us that the RCMP did not provide clear guidance to detachments on the roles and duties of an RCMP officer under a community tripartite agreement. Community-based policing and crime- prevention activities are important to build partnerships, trust, and reconciliation with community members through efforts outside of traditional or reactive enforcement.
3.64 We found that in 18 (69%) of the 26 communities with community tripartite agreements in our sample, RCMP detachments had worked with the community they served under the agreement to set policing However, only 3 (12%) of the 26 detachments had documented these priorities in a current letter of expectation as required by the agreements. The nature of this collaboration between the RCMP and communities to set priorities varied from official meetings with community leaders to community surveys.
3.65 We found that in 16 (62%) of the 26 communities in our sample, RCMP detachments serving these communities had prepared reports in 2022–23 at least quarterly, as required. These reports included information such as crime statistics, progress toward policing priorities, staffing levels, and community engagement activities. However, in only 7 of the 16 cases could detachments produce evidence that these reports had been provided to the communities served.
3.66 Our recommendation for this section is at paragraph 70.
No information on program effectiveness
Findings
3.67 We found that the RCMP did not monitor or report on the overall effectiveness of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. Each detachment is required to complete an annual performance report. However, these annual reports combine activities carried out by the RCMP detachment under the program and under other policing responsibilities. Consequently, it was not possible to decipher whether the outputs and outcomes in these reports were directly related to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program or part of the RCMP's overall activities.
3.68 RCMP officials explained that Public Safety Canada is responsible for determining, reviewing, and updating the program's performance indicators, as the RCMP is not a signatory to the community tripartite agreements and Public Safety Canada holds the policy authority for the program. In contrast, Public Safety Canada noted that it is not the department's role to measure the quality of policing services given that policing and setting policing standards are under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories. This could leave First Nations and Inuit communities unclear as to whom they need to turn to if the program does not meet their safety and security needs.
3.69 Furthermore, we found that the RCMP had not developed a clear and systematic approach to collect intersectional data within the program to inform service delivery and related intended outcomes. In our sample of 26 communities with community tripartite agreements, most of the detachments informed us that they did not collect disaggregated data on First Nations and Inuit women, children, youth, or elders. Moreover, none of the detachments serving the communities in our sample indicated that they collected information on 2SLGBTQI+ people. Given the 2022 RCMP commissioner mandate letter to advance reconciliation and address the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, ensuring that this data can be captured, collected, and analyzed by the RCMP is imperative.
Recommendation
3.70 The RCMP, in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, should implement mechanisms to ensure that the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is being delivered as required and is achieving the intended results. This should include
providing clear guidance to its detachments about the requirements of its officers working under community tripartite agreements
monitoring the detachments' fulfillment of requirements outlined in community tripartite agreements to ensure that partnerships with communities are being established and maintained
establishing, tracking, and reporting on program-wide performance indicators using a distinction-based approach and intersectional data. To align with truth and reconciliation, First Nations and Inuit Policing Program recipients should be included in establishing the performance indicators, data-gathering techniques, and reporting requirements to ensure that the data management is culturally sensitive and supports self-determination.
making adjustments to the program on the basis of the data gathered on the program delivery and effectiveness
3.71 We concluded that under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, Public Safety Canada did not work in partnership with Indigenous communities to provide equitable access to police services that are tailored to the needs of communities.
3.72 We also concluded that the RCMP did not work in partnership with Indigenous communities under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program to deliver dedicated and tailored police services that supplemented the services provided to provinces and territories under police service agreements.
About the Audit
This independent assurance report was prepared by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. Our responsibility was to provide objective information, advice, and assurance to assist Parliament in its scrutiny of the government's management of resources and programs and to conclude on whether the support provided by Public Safety Canada and the RCMP to First Nations and Inuit communities through the program complied in all significant respects with the applicable criteria.
All work in this audit was performed to a reasonable level of assurance in accordance with the Canadian Standard on Assurance Engagements (CSAE) 3001—Direct Engagements, set out by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) in the CPA Canada Handbook—Assurance.
The Office of the Auditor General of Canada applies the Canadian Standard on Quality Management 1—Quality Management for Firms That Perform Audits or Reviews of Financial Statements, or Other Assurance or Related Services Engagements. This standard requires our office to design, implement, and operate a system of quality management, including policies or procedures regarding compliance with ethical requirements, professional standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
In conducting the audit work, we complied with the independence and other ethical requirements of the relevant rules of professional conduct applicable to the practice of public accounting in Canada, which are founded on fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional behaviour.
In accordance with our regular audit process, we obtained the following from entity management:
confirmation of management's responsibility for the subject under audit
acknowledgement of the suitability of the criteria used in the audit
confirmation that all known information that has been requested, or that could affect the findings or audit conclusion, has been provided
confirmation that the audit report is factually accurate
Audit objective
The objective of this audit was to determine whether
Public Safety Canada, under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to provide equitable access to police services that are tailored to the needs of communities
the RCMP, under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to deliver dedicated and tailored police services that supplement the services provided to provinces and territories under police service agreements
Scope and approach
The audit focused on Public Safety Canada's and the RCMP's activities regarding the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
The audit focused on the 2 main types of policing agreements under the program: self-administered police service agreements and community tripartite agreements. Specifically, the audit examined whether
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to administer the program in a manner that was tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous communities
Public Safety Canada's funding was transparent, equitable, and timely
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP established, monitored, and reported on performance and outcomes of the program and used this information to make necessary adjustments
The audit involved examining and analyzing key documents from the organizations. This included documents specific to random samples of 26 community tripartite agreements and 12 self-administered police service agreements:
The community tripartite agreement sample was selected randomly from the total number of communities with these types of agreements (230 communities) and then balanced on the basis of the province or territory and how remote the community was.
The self-administered police service agreement sample was selected randomly from the total number of self-administered police services (36 police services) and then on the basis of the province or territory, the size of the police service, and the amount of funding per year.
Our findings from the samples relate only to the communities and police services reviewed and are not meant to statistically represent the entire population funded under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
We interviewed officials in both Public Safety Canada and the RCMP. For Public Safety Canada, this included officials from headquarters as well as staff in 1 regional office. For the RCMP, we met with headquarters, 3 divisions, and 4 detachments. We also met with selected First Nations communities, First Nations and Inuit police services, and stakeholders to discuss issues related to Indigenous policing and the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program.
We examined actions in support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to understand the organizations' contributions to Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
We did not examine other agreements under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, such as municipal agreements or crime-prevention programs. We also did not examine the performance of First Nations communities, police services, or First Nations organizations.
Criteria
Table 2: We used the following criteria to conclude against our audit objective
Criteria
Sources
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP work in partnership with Indigenous communities to administer the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program in a manner that is tailored to the needs of Indigenous communities.
First Nations Policing Policy, 1996
Minister of Public Safety Mandate Letter, 2021
Policy on Transfer Payments, Treasury Board
First Nation and Inuit Policing Program (FNPP): Terms and Conditions, Public Safety Canada
Framework agreements for the use of RCMP First Nations community policing services
Community tripartite agreements for the use of the RCMP First Nations community policing services
RCMP Commissioner Mandate Letter, 2022
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Path of Reconciliation: Strengthening Trust in the RCMP, 2019–2020
Operational Priorities, RCMP
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, 2019
Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations, 2015
Achieving a Sustainable Future: Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2022 to 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
Public Safety Canada makes funding-related decisions under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program in a transparent, equitable, and timely manner.
Policy on Transfer Payments, Treasury Board
First Nations Policing Policy, 1996
First Nation and Inuit Policing Program (FNPP): Terms and Conditions, Public Safety Canada
Contribution agreements for First Nations self-administered policing services
Framework agreements for the use of RCMP First Nations community policing services
Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations, 2015
Achieving a Sustainable Future: Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2022 to 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP establish, collect, and report on indicators to assess their performance under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and make necessary adjustments.
Project Risk Management Directive, Public Safety Canada, 2021
Policy on Transfer Payments, Treasury Board
First Nation and Inuit Policing Program (FNPP): Terms and Conditions, Public Safety Canada
Contribution agreements for First Nations self-administered policing services
Framework agreements for the use of RCMP First Nations community policing services
Community tripartite agreements for the use of the RCMP First Nations community policing services
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Path of Reconciliation: Strengthening Trust in the RCMP, 2019–2020
Operational Priorities, RCMP
Letters of Expectations
Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations, 2015
Achieving a Sustainable Future: Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2022 to 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Period covered by the audit
The audit covered the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 August 2023. This is the period to which the audit conclusion applies. However, to gain a more complete understanding of the subject matter of the audit, we also examined certain matters that preceded the start date of this period.
Date of the report
We obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence on which to base our conclusion on 29 February 2024, in Ottawa, Canada.
Audit team
This audit was completed by a multidisciplinary team from across the Office of the Auditor General of Canada led by Jo Ann Schwartz, Principal. The principal has overall responsibility for audit quality, including conducting the audit in accordance with professional standards, applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and the office's policies and system of quality management.
Recommendations and Responses
Responses appear as they were received by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.
In the following table 3, the paragraph number preceding the recommendation indicates the location of the recommendation in the report.
Recommendation
Response
3.48 Given the long-standing issues with the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, and given the federal government's commitment to truth and reconciliation, Public Safety Canada should work with First Nations and Inuit communities, the provinces and territories, and the RCMP to develop and implement a renewed approach to the program. This approach should include
updating the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy
immediately revising the current funding allocation process so that it allows for the timely funding to recipients, the disbursement of program funds, and the achievement of the department's commitment to equitable funding. The revision should take into account the timing of provincial and territorial funding as well as solutions to disburse federal funds available when provinces and territories are unable to secure their share of the funding.
developing a mechanism to track the interest, needs, and demand for the program by jurisdiction. The information collected should be used to inform future funding requests and equitable allocation for the program.
working in partnership with program recipients in a consistent and meaningful manner. Engagement by department officials should be supported by monitoring and feedback, mandatory cultural training, and guidance on the nature, timing, frequency, and expected measurable outcomes of engagement.
updating performance measurement and reporting so that the department, provinces and territories, and First Nations and Inuit communities know whether the program is achieving its intended results and outcomes and so that the department can make adjustments as needed. This approach should be culturally sensitive and include collecting, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting performance data that is distinction-based and intersectional.
Public Safety Canada's response. Agreed. Public Safety Canada recognizes that collaboration and partnership with First Nations and Inuit communities as well as with the provinces and territories and law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, is needed to improve the strategic focus and measurable impact of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP). Public Safety Canada is committed to pursuing these improvements in a manner that respects the jurisdiction of provinces and territories over operational policing requirements and priorities, and reconfirms the role of the federal government as a financial contributor to culturally-sensitive and results-oriented policing. To this end, starting in 2024-25, Public Safety Canada will engage with external partners and develop a program improvement action plan that will include:
Proposed updates to the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and the Terms and Conditions that govern FNIPP;
An updated program governance framework, that i) reconfirms how demand for improved policing and community safety initiatives will be tracked by provinces and territories of jurisdiction; ii) clarifies how available federal funding will be prioritized and how the concept of equity will be implemented through federal funding allocations; iii) and how Public Safety Canada and provincial and territorial partners will seek to ensure the administrative efficiency, predictability and timeliness of funding transfers to recipients in implementing the 52% federal /48% provincial/territorial cost-sharing requirements of the program.
An updated program results measurement framework that has been collaboratively developed with provinces and territories of jurisdiction and Indigenous partners funded by the program.
A proposed approach for strengthening the strategic alignment of FNIPP investments with other federal and provincial/territorial initiatives aimed at improving culturally-appropriate policing and community safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
In 2024-25, Public Safety Canada will also establish and implement a new series of mandatory training requirements for staff working on FNIPP, including community familiarization and cultural competency training.
3.58 Public Safety Canada and the RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities and with provinces and territories, should collaborate before new and renewed community tripartite agreements are signed to determine what is possible to offer to communities on the basis of resource capacity.
Public Safety Canada's response. Agreed. Public Safety Canada recognizes that the renewal and initiation of new community tripartite agreements puts additional resource requirements on the RCMP and that prior consultation will be undertaken before they are signed. Along with the RCMP, Public Safety Canada has already begun the implementation of the recommendation through discussion and careful consideration of their recruitment and retention challenges. Capacity to fill positions is at the forefront of conversations with provinces and territories where community tripartite agreements are the primary vehicle for the Program.
The RCMP's response. Agreed. Like many first responders across Canada, the RCMP is experiencing pressures in relation to vacancies in police officer positions. The RCMP has already taken steps to implement a revised national Regular Member (RM) (police officer) Demand model, which considers the demand for FNIPP police officers along with all other RCMP police officer requirements within the organization. This revised model should be fully implemented within the 2024/25 fiscal year (FY). Current vacancies and demand for police officers continue to be high priority discussion items between the RCMP, Public Safety Canada (PSC) and Provinces/ Territories (P/T) at the Contract Management Committee (CMC). The RCMP will seek to work with PSC to have more fulsome police officer demand discussions take place at CMC within FY 2024/25, ensuring provincial/territorial police service vacancies are considered, along with the enhanced FNIPP positions.
3.59 The RCMP should develop and implement a national strategy to address staffing shortages in community tripartite positions in order to ensure that RCMP officers assigned to First Nations and Inuit communities are able to deliver on their responsibilities under the program. As part of this, the RCMP should consult with First Nations and Inuit communities and with Public Safety Canada to understand the interest in the program, community needs, and trends.
The RCMP's response. Agreed. The RCMP is currently excluded from consultations between PSC, P/Ts and First Nations and Inuit communities when determining the level of police officer resources for the FNIPP, meaning the RCMP is a service provider without control over the demand put on it from the P/Ts and PSC. The RCMP would welcome the opportunity to be engaged with these parties prior to any decisions being taken to ensure current vacancy patterns in provincial and territorial policing services have been considered, and that it can reasonably deliver on these commitments. The RCMP will continue taking steps to increase recruitment and retention of police officer positions and reinforce its position as a choice for new police officers within Canada. It should be noted, the RCMP is likely to face capacity issues at Depot Division (the RCMP's police training academy), which will hinder its ability to produce a sufficient number of officers to meet demand for police officers in the near future, including those officers intended to support the FNIPP.
3.61 The RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities, should develop mechanisms to ensure that the RCMP officers working under community tripartite agreements become familiar with the culture and traditions
of the community they serve as required in the agreements. The participation in these activities should be monitored by the RCMP.
The RCMP's response. Agreed. The RCMP will continue to work with communities to make community-specific cultural awareness part of the community onboarding process for police officers, as well as continuous participation / inclusion in local cultural events. FNIPP funding available for Community Consultative Groups could provide a mechanism for financial compensation to share cultural awareness with police officers working in the communities. RCMP National Headquarters
is working on creating a shared space where it intends to include Community Profiles, which will include culture and traditions for the various Indigenous communities it serves. Furthermore, RCMP National Headquarters is working on a tool to enable members in the communities to easily input the activities they are conducting
as part of their duties and those relating to reconciliation efforts that are in addition to these. The RCMP will aim to implement enhanced measures to monitor the activities across the Divisions and National Headquarters by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
3.70 The RCMP, in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, should implement mechanisms to ensure that the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is being delivered as required and is achieving the intended results. This should include
providing clear guidance to its detachments about the requirements of its officers working under community tripartite agreements
monitoring the detachments' fulfillment of requirements outlined in community tripartite agreements to ensure that partnerships with communities are being established and maintained
establishing, tracking, and reporting on program-wide performance indicators using a distinction-based approach and intersectional data. To align with truth and reconciliation, First Nations and Inuit Policing Program recipients should be included in establishing the performance indicators, data-gathering techniques, and reporting requirements to ensure that the data management is culturally sensitive and supports self-determination.
making adjustments to the program on the basis of the data gathered on the program delivery and effectiveness
The RCMP's response. Agreed. RCMP National Headquarters will work with PSC to support updated performance measurement and reporting, and will make concerted efforts to implement a framework by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The RCMP intends to provide consistent, comprehensive, and accurate information
related to its contributions as a policing service provider so we can continue the work towards better supporting the communities it serves.
Furthermore, the development of tools to enable members in communities to input the activities and reconciliation efforts will ensure the RCMP gathers data to make necessary adjustments towards program delivery, which also is expected to be in place by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Public Safety Canada Final Detailed Action Plan to the recommendations of the Audit Report on First Nations and Inuit Policing Program 2024
Table 4: Report 3 of the Auditor General of Canada
Report Ref. No.
OAG Recommendations
Departmental Response
Area Responsible
Specific deliverable(s) (Description/Dates)
Expected Final Completion Date
3.48
Given the long-standing issues with the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), and given the federal government's commitment to truth and reconciliation, Public Safety Canada (PS) should work with First Nations and Inuit communities, the provinces and territories (PTs), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to develop and implement a renewed approach to the program.
Agreed. PS recognizes that collaboration and partnership with First Nations and Inuit communities as well as with the PTs and law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP, is needed to improve the strategic focus and measurable impact of the FNIPP. PS is committed to pursuing these improvements in a manner that respects the jurisdiction of PTs over operational policing requirements and priorities, and reconfirms the role of the federal government as a financial contributor to culturally-sensitive and results-oriented policing.
Indigenous Affairs Branch (IAB), PS
PS will collaborate with PTs, key First Nations and Inuit partners, and the RCMP to update the policy framework, program terms and conditions, and program governance processes of relevance to FNIPP with a view to improving the coherence, responsiveness and efficiency of program delivery.
FY 2025-26
This approach should include: updating the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy.
To this end, starting in 2024-25, PS will engage with external partners and develop a program improvement action plan that will include: Proposed updates to the 1996 First Nations Policing Policy and the Terms and Conditions that govern the FNIPP.
IAB, PS
PS will collaborate with PTs and key First Nations and Inuit partners to establish an updated federal First Nations and Inuit Policing Policy and revised program Terms and Conditions.
These updates and revisions will account for changes to the legal and policy context that have occurred since the FNIPP's inception, respond to audits and evaluations of the program and be informed by what has been heard from key partners over the course of recent engagement, including engagement that has been undertaken in the context of the Government of Canada's efforts to co-develop federal legislation to recognize First Nations police services as essential services.
Following respective approvals, PS intends to publish the updated Policy and revised program Terms and Conditions on PS's website.
FY 2024-25
Immediately revising the current funding allocation process so that it allows for the timely funding to recipients, the disbursement of program funds, and the achievement of the department's commitment to equitable funding. The revision should take into account the timing of provincial and territorial funding as well as solutions to disburse federal funds available when PTs are unable to secure their share of the funding.
An updated program governance framework, that
reconfirms how demand for improved policing and community safety initiatives will be tracked by PTs of jurisdiction;
clarifies how available federal funding will be prioritized and how the concept of equity will be implemented through federal funding allocations;
and how PS and provincial and territorial partners will seek to ensure the administrative efficiency, predictability and timeliness of funding transfers to recipients in implementing the 52% federal – 48% provincial/territorial cost-sharing requirements of the program.
IAB, PS
PS will establish updated terms of reference for its FPT program governance committee and working group(s) that reconfirm PT roles and responsibilities for validating proposed program investments in their jurisdiction. Guided by these terms of reference, PS will seek to solicit from PTs multiyear funding proposals for new or expanded program investments by jurisdiction.
PS will ensure that this reference information on program demand is tracked and used to inform both in-year funding decisions and forward FNIPP budget planning based on the 52% federal – 48% provincial cost-sharing requirement. PT multiyear funding proposals will also inform PS proposals for investments through the federal budgeting process.
Drawing on its expanded internal capacity to assess and engage with PTs and funding recipients on the evidence-based costs of policing in First Nations and Inuit communities, PS will continue to work with PTs to ensure that, subject to appropriations, cost- shared FNIPP funding for First Nations and Inuit police services is more sufficient, predictable and flexible.
FY 2024-25
Developing a mechanism to track the interest, needs, and demand for the program by jurisdiction. The information collected should be used to inform future funding requests and equitable allocation for the program.
An updated program governance framework, that
reconfirms how demand for improved policing and community safety initiatives will be tracked by PTs of jurisdiction;
IAB, PS
PS will continue to solicit multiyear funding proposals from PTs for new or expanded program investments by jurisdiction. PS intends to use these proposals as reference and use them to track program demand and inform both in-year funding decisions and FNIPP forward budget planning based on the 52% federal – 48% provincial cost-sharing requirement. PT multiyear funding proposals will also inform PS proposals for investments through the federal budgeting process.
FY 2025-26
Working in partnership with program recipients in a consistent and meaningful manner. Engagement by department officials should be supported by monitoring and feedback, mandatory cultural training, and guidance on the nature, timing, frequency, and expected measurable outcomes of engagement.
A proposed approach for strengthening the strategic alignment of FNIPP investments with other federal and provincial/territorial initiatives aimed at improving culturally-appropriate policing and community safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
In 2024-25, PS will also establish and implement a new series of mandatory training requirements for staff working on FNIPP, including community familiarization and cultural competency training.
IAB, PS
PS is working with PTs, key First Nations and Inuit partners, and the RCMP to regularly monitor and document the impact of FNIPP-funded initiatives in target communities.
FY 2024-25
PS will work with PTs, the RCMP and First Nations and Inuit partners to clarify the strategic intent of Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs), and modernize associated Framework Agreements and CTA agreements.
FY 2027-28
PS is refining its mandatory training requirements for staff working on FNIPP and other files that require a high degree of Indigenous cultural competency. Exact training requirements will vary, but all training requirements will be registered and tracked in annual employee performance agreements.
FY 2024-25
Updating performance measurement and reporting so that the department, PTs, and First Nations and Inuit communities know whether the program is achieving its intended results and outcomes and so that the department can make adjustments as needed. This approach should be culturally sensitive and include collecting, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting performance data that is distinctions based and intersectional.
An updated program results measurement framework that has been collaboratively developed with provinces and territories of jurisdiction and Indigenous partners funded by the program.
IAB, PS
PS will work with PTs, key First Nations and Inuit partners, and the RCMP to develop and implement an updated performance measurement framework that reflects the different expected outcomes across FNIPP's various stream of programming.
Initial updates to FNIPP's expected program results will be proposed as part of PS's proposed revisions to the program's Terms and Conditions, followed by ongoing engagement with external partners to validate appropriate performance indicators and data collection approaches that minimize the reporting burden on First Nations and Inuit funding recipients.
FY 2025-26
3.58
PS and the RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities and with provinces and territories, should collaborate before new and renewed community tripartite agreements (CTAs) are signed to determine what is possible to offer to communities on the basis of resource capacity.
Agreed. PS recognizes that the renewal and initiation of new community tripartite agreements puts additional resource requirements on the RCMP and that prior consultation will be undertaken before they are signed. Along with the RCMP, PS has already begun the implementation of the recommendation through discussion and careful consideration of their recruitment and retention challenges. Capacity to fill positions is at the forefront of conversations with provinces and territories where CTAs are the primary vehicle for the Program.
IAB, PS in collaboration with the RCMP
In collaboration with the RCMP, PS will:
Review and modernize framework agreements with PTs
Increase participation of RCMP at key stages of program delivery, including but not limited to:
review of the program;
renewal of agreements;
new allocations/requirements; and
monitoring and reporting.
Develop a consistent methodology and reporting deliverables for monitoring CTA vacancies on a consistent national basis.
Formalize communication between RCMP Divisions and communities with respect to absences or vacancies of CTA members.
FY 2027-28
Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Audit on First Nations and Inuit Policing Program
About the Audit
The objective of this audit, with regards to the RCMP, is to determine whether the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) worked in partnership with Indigenous communities to deliver dedicated and tailored police services that supplement the services provided to provinces and territories under the police services agreements.
Table 5: The report contained four (4) recommendations which were directed at the RCMP
Report Ref. No.
OAG Recommendation
Responsible OPI
Departmental Response
Description of Final Expected Outcome/Result
Implementation Update
Expected Final Completion Date
3.58
Public Safety Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities and with provinces and territories, should collaborate before new and renewed community tripartite agreements are signed to determine what is possible to offer to communities on the basis of resource capacity.
Public Safety Canada & RCMP
Agreed. Like many first responders across Canada, the RCMP is experiencing pressures in relation to vacancies in police officer positions. The RCMP has already taken steps to implement a revised national Regular Member (RM) (police officer) Demand model, which considers the demand for FNIPP police officers along with all other RCMP police officer requirements within the organization. This revised model should be fully implemented within the 2024/25 fiscal year (FY). Current vacancies and demand for police officers continue to be high priority discussion items between the RCMP, Public Safety Canada (PSC) and Provinces/Territories (P/T) at the Contract Management Committee (CMC). The RCMP will seek to work with PSC to have more fulsome police officer demand discussions take place at CMC within FY 2024/25, ensuring provincial/territorial police service vacancies are considered, along with the enhanced FNIPP positions.
Public Safety Canada and the RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities and with provinces and territories will ensure that resourcing is considered ahead of the development and signing of renewed tripartite agreements. These considerations will be informed by the RCMP's revised national Regular Member (RM) Demand model which outlines current vacancy rates and demand for RMs across Contract Policing, inclusive of the FNIPP. Discussions with Contract Partners through the Contract Management Committee and the First Nations Policing Committee will allow the RCMP to improve the RM Demand model based on feedback from stakeholders.
The initial expected intermediate outcome from these considerations will be that all FNIPP partners acquire a more fulsome understanding of RCMP challenges and capacity to fill new CTA positions prior to any proposed increase in the RCMP's FNIPP footprint.
A second expected intermediate outcome will be a fulsome understanding of the current state of resources across all Community Tripartite Agreements (CTAs). If determined to be feasible based on overarching resourcing discussions, this could allow for new or renewed CTAs
The final outcome expected would be for the RCMP to be in a position to provide enhanced policing services to First Nations and Inuit communities under the FNIPP, while ensuring that other Contract Policing demands are also able to be met.
Position Responsible:
Director, Client Services & Policing Agreements Section
Update as at August, 2024:
Collaboration between all parties has increased, with the RCMP attending a variety of FPT meetings to discuss program implementation, including in-person at the First Nations Policing Committee in June, 2024, and virtually in June and July, 2024.
The RCMP will continue to attend any and all meetings in accordance with the determined frequency of the other parties to discuss and evaluate current resource capacity against demand for new or renewed CTAs.
Q4 2024/25
3.59
The RCMP should develop and implement a national strategy to address staffing shortages in community tripartite positions in order to ensure that RCMP officers assigned to First Nations and Inuit communities are able to deliver on their responsibilities under the program. As part of this, the RCMP should consult with First Nations and Inuit communities and with Public Safety Canada to understand the interest in the program, community needs, and trends.
RCMP
Agreed. The RCMP is currently excluded from consultations between PSC, P/Ts and First Nations and Inuit communities when determining the level of police officer resources for the FNIPP, meaning the RCMP is a service provider without control over the demand put on it from the P/Ts and PSC. The RCMP would welcome the opportunity to be engaged with these parties prior to any decisions being taken to ensure current vacancy patterns in provincial and territorial policing services have been considered, and that it can reasonably deliver on these commitments.
The RCMP will continue taking steps to increase recruitment and retention of police officer positions and reinforce its position as a choice for new police officers within Canada. It should be noted, the RCMP is likely to face capacity issues at Depot Division (the RCMP's police training academy), which will hinder its ability to produce a sufficient number of officers to meet demand for police officers in the near future, including those officers intended to support the FNIPP.
The initial expected outcome is the RCMP will develop and implement a national strategy to address staffing shortages in community tripartite positions in order to ensure RMs are able to deliver on their responsibilities under the program, as part of a broader resourcing strategy across the organization.
To this end, an intermediate outcome will be a fulsome understanding of vacancies across all contract jurisdictions, including the FNIPP as guided by the RCMP's RM Demand methodology This methodology will help inform vacancy patterns alongside operational requirements to determine resource allocations across Contract Policing, including the FNIPP.
With this understanding, the final expected outcome is that RMs in CTA communities will have an increased ability to deliver on commitments under the FNIPP. This element will also be examined in the broader context of potential changes to the Program and the RCMP having a seat at the negotiation table to ensure that an RM's ability to deliver on responsibilities are realistic and appropriate in all instances.
Position Responsible:
Director, Client Services & Policing Agreements Section
Update as at August, 2024:
The updated Regular Member (RM) Demand Model continues to evolve and be refined as discussions continue with Public Safety Canada, RCMP NHQ & Divisions, and contract jurisdictions. Changes continue to be made based on feedback to ensure that the model is representative of the vacancy patterns and mitigation strategies within the confines of each jurisdiction across Contract Policing, including the FNIPP.
In addition, the RCMP continues to address vacancy patterns organizationally through various initiatives designed to attract new applicants, and have returned to 40 Troops of 32 at Depot, which is projected to output significantly more cadets in fiscal year 2024/25 as compared to the previous fiscal years. It should be noted that recruitment, training, and staffing RM positions is not specific to a certain Program. All graduates from Depot are assigned a posting which may include communities under the Contract Policing Program or the FNIPP.
Finally, the RCMP was a participant at the in-person First Nations Policing Committee meeting with Assistant Deputy Ministers from Public Safety Canada and Contract Jurisdictions. Participation in this forum, and having a seat at the negotiating table for future or renewed CTAs is crucial to aligning commitments with available resources across the Contract Policing and FNIPP Programs.
Q1 2025/26
3.61
The RCMP, in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit communities, should develop mechanisms to ensure that the RCMP officers working under community tripartite agreements become familiar with the culture and traditions of the community they serve as required in the agreements. The participation in these activities should be monitored by the RCMP.
Agreed. The RCMP will continue to work with communities to make community-specific cultural awareness part of the community onboarding process for police officers, as well as continuous participation / inclusion in local cultural events. FNIPP funding available for Community Consultative Groups could provide a mechanism for financial compensation to share cultural awareness with police officers working in the communities. RCMP National Headquarters is working on creating a shared space where it intends to include Community Profiles, which will include culture and traditions for the various Indigenous communities it serves. Furthermore, RCMP National Headquarters is working on a tool to enable members in the communities to easily input the activities they are conducting as part of their duties and those relating to reconciliation efforts that are in addition to these. The RCMP will aim to implement enhanced measures to monitor the activities across the Divisions and National Headquarters by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
The immediate outcome is for the RCMP National Headquarters (NHQ) to work with Divisions across Canada to provide guidance, templates and tools to support their engagements with the individual communities on the co-development of their individual community profiles.
As an intermediate outcome this will allow Divisions to have more information to support them during their engagements with Indigenous communities to obtain the necessary inclusions with regard to the different cultures, traditions and protocols for RCMP members to better serve Indigenous communities.
Final outcome is that RCMP has a fully accessible repository of Indigenous community profiles to support members in the performance of their duties and greater cultural awareness across the RCMP.
Position Responsible:
Director, Indigenous Policing Services - National
Update as at August, 2024:
The RCMP NHQ is working with the Divisions as it develops a mechanism to ensure the Community Profiles meet the needs of the different Indigenous communities policed by RCMP Members.
The RCMP NHQ is currently taking an inventory of current Community Profiles while also working towards establishing an accessible national repository for the profiles.
The RCMP will aim to implement enhanced measures to monitor the activities across the Divisions and National Headquarters by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Q2 2025/26
3.70
The RCMP, in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, should implement mechanisms to ensure that the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program is being delivered as required and is achieving the intended results. This should include
providing clear guidance to its detachments about the requirements of its officers working under community tripartite agreements
monitoring the detachments' fulfillment of requirements outlined in community tripartite agreements to ensure that partnerships with communities are being established and maintained
establishing, tracking, and reporting on program-wide performance indicators using a distinction-based approach and intersectional data. To align with truth and reconciliation, First Nations and Inuit Policing Program recipients should be included in establishing the performance indicators, data-gathering techniques, and reporting requirements to ensure that the data management is culturally sensitive and supports self-determination.
making adjustments to the program on the basis of the data gathered on the program delivery and effectiveness
Agreed. RCMP National Headquarters will work with PSC to support updated performance measurement and reporting, and will make concerted efforts to implement a framework by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The RCMP intends to provide consistent, comprehensive, and accurate information related to its contributions as a policing service provider so we can continue the work towards better supporting the communities it serves. Furthermore, the development of tools to enable members in communities to input the activities and reconciliation efforts will ensure the RCMP gathers data to make necessary adjustments towards program delivery, which also is expected to be in place by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
The RCMP, in collaboration with Public Safety Canada, and Contract Jurisdictions, including First Nations Communities, will implement mechanisms to ensure that the FNIPP is being delivered as required and is achieving the intended results.
The immediate outcome will be that all stakeholders have a better understanding of the commitments and requirements of CTAs, including any challenges and barriers that may preclude the successful implementation of the program. This will be accomplished through an environmental scan of the Program, collecting data on geographic location, availability of accommodations, number of Members under CTAs and those under the Police Service Agreements, among other valuable data points.
A secondary outcome is that all parties will also have a fulsome understanding of data collected on CTA communities, which will help guide discussions on possible amendments to the Program at large.
A final outcome will be affirmation that the Program is achieving the intended results, or, recommendations to better align Program activities to accomplish the intended goals.
Position Responsible:
Director, Indigenous Policing Services - National &
Director, Client Services & Policing Agreements Section
Update as at August, 2024:
The RCMP has been working with Public Safety Canada and RCMP Divisions to better understand how the FNIPP Program is being administered across CTAs.
The RCMP is also in the process of conducting an environmental scan of Divisions to better understand how the program is being administered in each FNIPP community, including any challenges or barriers that may exist.
Following the collection of this data, discussions will continue with Public Safety Canada, RCMP NHQ & Divisions, and Contract Jurisdictions to help guide the establishment, tracking, and reporting on program-wide performance indicators.
Concurrently, the RCMP NHQ & Divisions continue to discuss program delivery requirements and potential adjustments to the program with Public Safety Canada and contract jurisdictions, which will be further guided by the data collected. These discussions have included the operational realities and constraints of policing in these jurisdictions and how all parties can better align or refine activities with commitments.
Advancing Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation in Canada
Background Information
Truth and Reconciliation Commission – Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action in 2015 to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation – hence, the TRC'S Final report is turning 10 this year.
Call to Action 25 (PS/RCMP lead): We call upon the federal government to establish a written policy that reaffirms the independence of the RCMP to investigate crimes in which the government has its own interest as a potential or real party in civil litigation. This Action item is considered completed.
On May 7, 2018, the Government of Canada reaffirmed the independence of the RCMP in the exercise of police powers in criminal investigations in the mandate letter to the RCMP Commissioner. Any directions provided by the Minister, pursuant to section 5 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act may not include directions which interfere with the RCMP's criminal investigations. In addition, ministers may not attempt to influence in any way the conduct of specific criminal investigations.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' (National Inquiry) final report "Reclaiming Power and Place" (2019), documents the complex and interconnected causes of the ongoing violence targeting Indigenous women, girls and 2SLQBTQQIA+ people. This resulted in 231 Calls for Justice that are aimed at both government and non-government actors, calling for both long-term systemic changes and short-term immediate actions.
As a result, the Government of Canada (led by CIRNAC) launched the first Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (herein called the "Federal Pathway") on June 3, 2021. The Federal Pathway is now publicly released every June and is the Government of Canada's contribution to the broader 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan; a plan co-developed by a diversity of Indigenous partners, provinces and territories.
This year's Federal Pathway report, released on June 3, 2025, highlights strides in addressing the MMIWG crisis through targeted investments and Indigenous-led initiatives, emphasizing the shift towards community-defined systems of care and accountability. Key highlights include enhancing safety, community-led survivor centered healing and wellness supports, addressing human trafficking, transforming justice through Indigenous-led approaches, Indigenous-led child welfare and protection, cultural and language revitalization, housing and infrastructure, economic security, addressing anti-Indigenous racism, and increasing transparency and accountability with Indigenous partners.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) – Action Plan – 2023-2028
The UNDA requires annual progress reports to be tabled in Parliament and subsequently released publicly. Minister Fraser tabled the fourth annual progress report in Parliament on August 20th, 2025.
This year, federal officials reached out to 201 First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations to invite them to participate in the annual reporting process. The fourth Annual Progress Report 2024-2025, reflects feedback and input received from 58 Indigenous organizations and over 41 federal departments and agencies, reflecting good overall representation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners at the national and regional level, including Indigenous women's and youth organizations.
Generally, these Indigenous partners reported viewing the UNDA Action Plan as an opportunity to advance reconciliation and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
However, areas of improvement were noted including increased and predictable funding for Indigenous partners and the development of clear, co-developed metrics to measure progress. Additionally, Indigenous partners continued to emphasize the need for meaningful consultation, transparency, and inclusion of diverse voices, in particular those of women, youth, Two-Spirit, and urban Indigenous communities.
Annex A – List of MMIWG Calls for Justice Commitments
Calls for Justice (CFJ) that PS is advancing
CFJ 3.4
We call upon all governments to ensure that all Indigenous communities receive immediate and necessary resources, including funding and support, for the establishment of sustainable, permanent, no-barrier, preventative, accessible, holistic, wraparound services, including mobile trauma and additions recovery. We further direct that trauma and addictions treatment programs be paired with other essential services such as mental health services and sexual exploitation and trafficking services as they relate to each individual case of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
PS led initiatives that advance CFJ 3.4: the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI) and the Northern Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF).
CFJ 3.5
We call upon all governments to establish culturally competent and responsive crisis response teams in all communities and regions, to meet the immediate needs of an Indigenous person, family, and/or community after a traumatic event (murder, accident, violent event, etc.) alongside ongoing support.
PS led initiative that advances CFJ 3.5: ACSPI.
CFJ 5.4
We call upon governments to immediately and dramatically transform Indigenous policing from its current state as a merge delegation to an exercise in self-governance and self-determination over policing. To do this, the federal government's First Nations Policing Program must be replaced with a new legislative and new funding framework, consistent with international and domestic policing best practices and standards, that must be developed by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments in partnerships with Indigenous Peoples […].
PS led initiative that advances CFJ 5.4: the Co-development of First Nations police service legislation.
CFJ 5.5
We call upon all governments to fund the provision of policing services within Indigenous communities in northern and remote areas in a manner that ensures that those services meet the safety and justice needs of the communities and that the quality of policing services is equitable to that provided to non-Indigenous Canadians.
PS led initiatives that advances CFJ 5.5: First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) and First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program.
CFJ 5.5iv
Crime-prevention funding and programming must reflect community needs.
PS led initiatives that advances CFJ 5.5iv: ACSPI and NICPF.
CFJ 14.6
We call upon Correctional Service Canada and provincial and territorial services to provide intensive and comprehensive mental health, addictions, and trauma services for incarcerated Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, ensuring that the term of care is needs-based and not tied to the duration of incarceration. These plans and services must follow the individuals as they reintegrate into the community.
PS led initiative that advances CFJ 14.6: Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI).
Calls for Justice that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is advancing
CFJ 9.1
We call upon all police services and justice system actors to acknowledge that the historical and current relationship between Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people and the justice system has been largely defined by colonialism, racism, bias, discrimination, and fundamental cultural and societal differences. We further call upon all police services and justice system actors to acknowledge that, going forward, this relationship must be based on respect and understanding, and must be led by, and in partnerships with, Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.
CFJ 9.2
We call upon all actors in the justice system, including police services, to build respectful working relationships with Indigenous Peoples by knowing, understanding, and respecting the people they are serving.
Annex B – UNDA APM Commitments
PS leads or co-leads on 11 APMs
SP28
Increase access to justice for Indigenous Peoples, strengthen communities and advance self-determination by finalizing an Indigenous Justice Strategy (Co-lead with Justice Canada).
SP54
Leveraging the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), engage and work with Indigenous communities and provinces and territories on approaches to enhance policing services that are professional, dedicated and responsive to First Nation and Inuit communities.
SP55
Explore community-based approaches to public safety in Indigenous communities by supporting the implementation, and assessing the effectiveness, of Community Safety Officer Pilot projects approaches to help meet community safety needs of Indigenous communities (implemented through the FNIPP).
SP56
Through the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, continue to invest in trauma-informed and culturally relevant community-based projects and support the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking and its hotline.
SP57
Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy's Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund, continue to invest in Indigenous-led crime prevention strategies and community services.
SP58
Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI).
SP61
Support the safe and successful reintegration of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system into the community (implemented through the Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative).
SP63
Establish a federally led FPTI working group on Indigenous emergency management comprised of federal senior officials, national Indigenous organization leaders and provincial and territorial representative.
SP65
Continue to work collaboratively with Indigenous partners throughout the development and implementation of firearms legislation and related initiatives to ensure consistency with the UN Declaration, and to identify potential unintended impacts to Section 35 rights in its implementation.
FN10
Work with First Nations partners and representative organizations to advance the co-development of federal legislation that recognizes First Nations police services as essential services.
ME09
Conclude a Justice and Policing Sub-Accord through the Canada-Métis Nation Permanent Bilateral Mechanism (Co-lead with Justice Canada).
RCMP leads on two APMs
SP15
Create an Intercultural Learning Strategy.
SP59
Coordinate and provide oversight for high-profile and major case investigations, with a portion of work dedicated to Indigenous women.
First Nations and Inuit Policing Program Implementation
Overall Investments
Significant cost-shared investments to improve policing and community safety outcomes in First Nations and Inuit communities.
Budget 2021
$540.3 million over 5 years, and
$126.8 million ongoing.
Budget 2024
$267.5 million over 5 years;
$92.5 million ongoing; and
Additional $200 million over 5 years, to repair, renovate and replace First Nations and Inuit police facilities.
Results
Stabilized and increased front-line policing in First Nations and Inuit communities
In British Columbia, significant funding increase for the Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police.
Expanded funding Community Safety Officers across 9 PT jurisdictions.
Manitoba, increased funding for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service to triple in size, from 56 to 162 officers.
In Ontario, a minimum 5% funding increase for 8 First Nations police services.
In Quebec, significant funding increases to all 22 First Nations and Inuit police services, including a nearly five-fold increase in funding for the Nunavik Police Service
RCMP Community Tripartite Agreement positions have increased from 4 to 22 in NWT; and from 17 to 25 in Yukon.
New and renovated policing facilities in First Nations and Inuit communities
In British-Columbia, a new community policing office in the Ditidaht First Nation.
In Alberta, new police detachment projects underway for the Blood Tribe Police Service, the Lakeshore Regional Police Service and the Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service.
In Saskatchewan, construction completed on a new police detachment for the File Hills First Nations Police Service.
In Ontario, 5 new police detachment projects initiated in the Attawapiskat, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Taykwa Tagamou, Muskrat Dam, and Curve Lake First Nations.
In Quebec, 4 police detachments projects underway in the Gesgapegiag, Listuguj, and Opitciwan First Nations.
2024-2025 FNIPP and FNIPFP Spending Placemat
Table 6: First Nations and Inuit police services
P/T
# of Agreements
# of Communities covered
Funding
NFLD
-
-
-
PEI
-
-
-
NS
-
-
-
NB
-
-
-
QC
22
44
100.58
ON
8
82
85.05
MB
1
10
12.02
SK
1
5
1.63
AB
3
7
12.61
BC
1
10
1.88
YK
-
-
-
NWT
-
-
-
NT
-
-
-
Total CAN
36
158
213.77
Table 7: Community Tripartite Agreements (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
P/T
# of CTAs
# of Communities covered
Funding
NFLD
4
4
4.16
PEI
2
2
0.31
NS
7
7
6.56
NB
2
2
3.30
QC
-
-
-
ON
-
-
-
MB
7
9
7.35
SK
33
55
20.54
AB
21
21
9.22
BC
59
133
16.34
YK
12
12
3.38
NWT
4.26
NT
-
-
-
Total CAN
147
245
72.65*
* Amount transferred to the RCMP for the provision of community policing services under CTA pursuant to Framework Agreements was reduced of $2.95 million than the forecasted utilization based on discussions with the RCMP. The actual expenditures for each PTs for the CTA are not validated at this time, and are fully managed by the RCMP. ** All financial figures are presented in millions. Variances may be due to rounding.
Table 8: Quad and Ontario First Nations Policing Agreement (OFNPA)
