Ontario Regional Chief Challenges Federal and Provincial Governments to Respond to the First Nation Policing Funding Crisis

February 4, 2008 – Ontario First Nation police services are in a state of crisis due to being chronically under-funded. “The federal cap on funding is resulting in First Nation citizens being forced to accept lower standards of policing than citizens in mainstream society. This is a health and safety concern for First Nation citizens, and for First Nation police officers. The federal and provincial governments are aware of this situation and are basically non-responsive,” stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

First Nation police services are forced to work within a federal policy, which views the services they provide as mere enhancements to the police service of jurisdiction, which in Ontario is the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The Regional Chief indicated that work has been done under the auspices of the Ipperwash Inquiry which calls for federal policy reform to bring the First Nation Policing Policy up to date and to recognize First Nation police services as essential services within their communities. The Final Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry also noted that both the federal and provincial governments should increase capital and operational funding for First Nation police services, and that this funding should be secured by renewable five-year agreements between federal, provincial and First Nation governments. “First Nations leaders are very concerned, and with good reason, that our officers are being left without required resources due to continued government inaction,” said the Ontario Regional Chief.

The federal Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is required to approach the federal Treasury Board to ensure funding is sustained for First Nation policing. For a number of years, First Nation governments have submitted deployment assessments which clearly identify the need for increased officer complement, infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Regardless of these deployment assessments, the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness did not seek additional resources for First Nation police services.

“As recently as last week, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service was forced to close the prisoner cells of the Kasabonika Lake detachment due to the deteriorating condition. I join Grand Chief Beardy in his call to the federal and provincial governments to come to the table and work with First Nations to develop long-term solutions that satisfy the health and safety needs of our police services and citizens” stated Regional Chief Toulouse. He further stated “I cannot emphasize strongly enough the decrepit and unsafe conditions that far too many of our police detachments are in. Will it take more people to die before we get a response from the federal and provincial governments?” The Regional Chief mentioned the two unnecessary deaths, and serious injury to an officer, which occurred in Kashechewan on January 9, 2006 due to a fire in the detachment.

The Regional Chief indicated that the Final Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry provides guidance to make certain First Nation police services in Ontario are sustained and are provided with adequate funding levels. “This is an issue of basic human rights. First Nation police officers undergo the same training and perform the same duties as mainstream officers but are forced to accept less than standard working conditions. We require our treaty partners at the table to ensure that First Nation police officers are provided with the necessities they need to carry out their responsibilities and to keep our citizens and communities safe” said the Ontario Regional Chief Toulouse.

For more information please contact:

Pam Hunter (416) 597-1266 or
Policy Advisor (613) 203-3233