The federal government is significantly boosting funding for the First Nations police program.
Public Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, announced a new five-year agreement today that will see a 57 per cent increase between now and 2023.
There are two types of policing agreements. Self-administered programs, where a First Nation manages its own police service and community agreements, where a dedicated number of RCMP offices are assigned to provide police services to a First Nation. Nationwide, there are 185 police service agreements.
There are 38 self-administered First Nations police programs in Canada, but only one in Saskatchewan. The File Hills Police Service has been in operation since 2000. Other First Nations, including Little Pine and Poundmaker, have expressed interest in setting up their own police departments under the program, but startup costs and lack of infrastructure have made it impossible.
The First Nations Policing Program was established in 1991 with the federal government and provinces sharing the cost. The current five-year agreements expire at the end of March.
Last year, the federal auditor issued a report detailing problems with the program, including inadequate funding and crumbling infrastructure. The report called on the federal government to establish a new model of long-term stable funding.
Today, the government responded, with Public Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, announcing the new funding structure. The new funding amounts to $291 million over five years.
During this fiscal year, funding will increase from $102 million to $144 million. By 2023, the yearly funding will reach $175.5 million.
(PHOTO: File Hills Police cruisers. Photo courtesy of filehillspolice.ca)