Parliamentary Committee Notes: Opening Remarks

Speaking Notes for The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

Good afternoon.

Mr. Chair, honourable members and colleagues, thank you for inviting me to appear before you today.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak about the Auditor General of Canada’s Performance Audit Report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, and I thank Auditor General Karen Hogan and her team for their important work.

As you know, the FNIPP is a program that aims to increase access to dedicated, culturally responsive policing services in First Nations and Inuit communities, consistent with provincial and territorial jurisdiction over administration of justice, including policing operations. 

The Government of Canada welcomes the audit report’s recommendations.

These come at a fitting time, as Public Safety Canada is currently exploring ways to modernize its programming for Indigenous people.

The report will help guide the Department as it looks to improve the delivery and impact of the FNIPP, including through measurable results, in the communities it serves.

Indeed, our efforts to act on the report’s recommendations are already underway.

For instance, Public Safety Canada has recently updated its internal structure to streamline the delivery of the FNIPP and related Indigenous issues, programs and policy work within my department’s mandate.

The Government of Canada is also committed to tabling legislation that recognizes First Nations police services as essential services as soon as feasible, and we are well on our way to making this happen.

Along with key partners, we have made significant progress.

In fact, over the winter, Indigenous-led regional and national engagement sessions have been held on proposed legislative options to co-develop federal legislation to recognize First Nations police services as essential services.

This engagement builds on the ongoing collaboration Public Safety Canada has fostered with First Nations and subject matter experts – like the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association and First Nations Police Governance Council – as well as provincial and territorial representatives.

Public Safety has also revisited the program management relationship with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to more readily consider and integrate officer availability in program management decisions.

And the RCMP are continuing to work with communities to improve cultural awareness practices as they reaffirm their commitment to keeping Indigenous communities safe, including through the FNIPP.

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and I have had several encouraging conversations on these issues, and I’m confident that he and his team have these challenges well in hand.^{Footnote 1}

Through all of these initiatives, collaboration is key.

The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with First Nations and Inuit partners, law enforcement agencies, and provinces and territories.

The provinces and territories make the decisions on the level of policing needs in their jurisdiction, identify priorities for this program and provide 48% of the costs. 

The federal government then cost-matches the remaining 52%.

In advancing this work, it is important that we respect the constitutional division of power that gives provinces and territories oversight of the administration of justice in their jurisdictions, including policing.

The audit report will inform this shared work, help strengthen our ability to overcome challenges, and ensure the continued success of the FNIPP.

I know that commitment to reconciliation is top of mind for me and for my federal colleagues in every step we take on this shared path with our Indigenous partners.

This work directly affects the safety and security of the Indigenous communities who rely on these services.

By implementing the audit report’s recommended improvements and fostering collaboration, we aim to create a safer environment, build stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, and ensure that their unique needs are met.

We are confident that we will find a way forward that will strengthen the delivery and the transparency of police services to First Nations and Inuit communities.^{Footnote 2}

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I look forward to my colleagues’ questions.

Date modified:

2024-09-26