OTTAWA—Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing (AMK) called on the federal government to restore funding to three First Nation police services, including the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Services, in the House of Commons on May 29.
“As of March 31, funding has stopped flowing to Treaty Three, Anishinabek Police Service and the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Services,” said MP Hughes. She asked the federal government to do its part to restore funding to the three First Nations police services who have had their funding cut by the federal government. Under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP), Indigenous policing contracts are funded through tripartite agreements between the federal government, provincial or territorial governments, and First Nation or Inuit communities.
“Police services under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, unlike other policing services, are under threat because of contract imposition instead of fair negotiations,” said MP Hughes. “An expedited judicial order against the federal government has been filed just to get basic core funding back. There is deep concern about increasing crime rates, which puts the safety of First Nations communities at risk.”
Treaty Three Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service and the UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service have not accepted an imposed contract as it does not respond to the dire needs that they are experiencing within First Nation communities. This has resulted in funding being cut since March 31, 2022, said MP Hughes.
“The Crown has a legal obligation to ensure First Nation policing is an essential service, negotiated based on identified needs and funded at a standard comparable to non-Indigenous communities,” said MP Hughes. “Let’s not repeat the mistakes of our colonial past. Let’s ensure these Indigenous police services immediately have the resources and specialized training they require to better protect their communities. They need a fair contract with clear terms of references and adequate funding now.”
