Government of Canada is investing in safer First Nation and Inuit police facilities

OTTAWA, Nov. 15, 2018 /CNW/ -  Like all communities in Canada, Indigenous communities should be safe places where families can thrive and local economies can flourish. Public safety is essential to that prosperity.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $88.6 million over seven years in policing facilities in First Nation and Inuit communities to ensure that police officers serving these communities work in safe facilities.

Recognizing there are pressing needs in terms of policing infrastructure in First Nation and Inuit communities, a new federal program, Funding for First Nation and Inuit Policing Facilities, will provide funding to repair, renovate, or replace policing facilities owned by First Nation and Inuit communities starting in 2018-2019. The program will help ensure policing infrastructure complies with current building, policing facility, and health and safety standards.

This program, which is cost-shared 52 per cent/48 per cent with the provinces and territories, will be implemented in two phases:

• In the first phase, beginning immediately, communities with policing facilities known to require urgent repairs will be contacted to access program funding over the next two years.
• In the second phase, starting in 2020-2021, projects will be selected for funding based on the results of a professional assessment of First Nation and Inuit police service facilities and a set of national merit criteria.

Safe policing facilities will result in the delivery of better quality policing services and contribute to safer First Nation and Inuit communities. 

Quotes

"Through culturally relevant policing, the First Nations Policing Program protects the safety of over 400,000 people in First Nation and Inuit communities. Building on our government's major investments in new officers, salaries and equipment, we are making new investments in policing facilities so officers can do their jobs properly and keep their communities safe."

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

• In the coming months, the Government will be launching a bidding process for a professional assessment of First Nation and Inuit police service facilities. This assessment will inform the selection of phase two infrastructure projects.
• The Government of Canada is also investing up to $291.2 million over five years, beginning in 2018-2019, in policing in First Nation and Inuit communities currently served under the First Nations Policing Program (FNPP). For the first time, this funding will be ongoing and includes an annual increase of 2.75% to address inflation.
• Through the FNPP, policing agreements in First Nation and Inuit communities are cost-shared with provinces and territories, and support the provision of professional, dedicated and responsive police services in over 450 communities across Canada.

Associated Links

• $291.2 million to be invested in the safety and security of Indigenous communities

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Scott Bardsley, Senior Advisor for Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca