Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It is important to know that there is a history of racism within the justice system and police forces. That's why I would really encourage honest discussions among all parties. At the moment, the RCMP does not sign the agreements. It is therefore important to ensure that the RCMP is aware of the agreements that will be reached, as well as the needs of first nations.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There were many things that contributed to the funds not being spent, and that is definitely one of them. I don't know if someone has the level of detail by province. I'm sorry; we don't know that, but Public Safety will hopefully be able to provide that answer to you.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I believe there's a much broader staffing issue with the RCMP having enough police officers. It's a great question to ask, should the RCMP be here. They did flag for us that remoteness is obviously an issue when it comes to staffing some of these positions.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  It's important to note that it's not up to the RCMP to transfer those services. Public Safety Canada is responsible for negotiating those agreements. At present, there are approximately 680 first nations communities. There are 36 self-administered agreements, and they cover 150 to 155 first nations communities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it's important to distinguish between the two types of agreements under this program. We looked at self-administered agreements, where indigenous communities are providing their own police services and are just receiving funding. There was much better engagement there. There was a regular need.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I am going to turn to either Jo Ann or Mélanie to add to this. I think the one point I would make, as they gather their thoughts, is that it's about equitable access to funding. Communities are already receiving policing services by virtue of the fact that they live in a province or territory where there are policing services.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We surveyed some detachments and asked them what they thought the goal was of the main service they should be providing under the indigenous and Inuit policing program versus regular policing services. I'm not going to use the right term, so I apologize to anyone in law enforcement who I'm going to offend, but there are the regular policing services, which are about enforcement and keeping good law and order, and then there is a community-based education and community-focused approach.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I will highlight two areas. One is linked to Public Safety's role and one is linked to the RCMP's role. This program is a cost-sharing program. The federal government provides 52% of the funding and the provinces or territories bring 48% to the table. What we heard is that if the federal government earmarks more funding to support the policing program, the province or territory needs to bring their fair share too for the additional funding to flow.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I will see if Jo Ann or Mélanie wants to jump in on that. It is written right into the policy development that there needs to be an equitable allocation to communities. What does that look like? Should it be based on just the number of people who live in the community? Should there be another set of criteria, or is it that they should have services comparable to those of non-indigenous communities?

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. Mr. Chair, thank you for this opportunity to discuss our report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, which was tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2024. I would like to acknowledge that this hearing is taking place on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  There is money for lot servicing, which is probably the right term to use, to make sure that some of the infrastructure is there. That was not something we focused on, but there is funding available for that through these two entities.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think it's an excellent question. I have to admit that this looks at, perhaps, the different types of funding programs that Indigenous Services Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have available. It would probably be a great question for the two of them. They have decided the types of programs and the funding sectors that are available under housing.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  We just need to switch a few people and get a water refill.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think this is where my recommendations and thoughts differ a bit from those of Indigenous Services and CMHC. It's the responsibility of CMHC and Indigenous Services Canada, if a community doesn't have a housing manager, to ask, “How can we support them? Do we have a way to help build that capacity or train someone or find it for them so they can identify their needs and then meet the program?”

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Absolutely, and that's where the partial agreement came on our recommendation. The department and the Crown corporation believe that first nations should just identify their needs and apply, but I would like to see a much more proactive approach because the smaller communities can't do those two things.