Hello. Thank you very much for inviting me to speak today.
My name is Julie Mugford. I'm a senior director in the crime prevention, corrections, criminal justice and aboriginal policing policy directorate within Public Safety. My responsibility lies in the area of policy relating to the first nations policing program. Today I'm pleased to be accompanied by my colleagues, Douglas May from the emergency management and programs branch of Public Safety, and Jacques Talbot from legal services.
I recognize how important the effect of enforcement and prosecution of laws on first nations reserves is for advancing self-determination. I also understand that closing the enforcement prosecution gaps is required for a true nation-to-nation relationship. However, the current patchwork of overlapping interests and responsibilities in relation to first nation laws and bylaws between federal government departments, provinces, territories and first nation communities themselves has led to challenges in their enforcement and prosecution.
Making progress on this matter requires effort by many partners, including representatives in the federal, provincial, territorial and first nation governments. Policing in first nation communities is a shared interest beyond just the federal government. Provinces and territories are key partners in this area and have jurisdiction over the administration of justice.
Although Public Safety Canada does not have a direct mandate regarding the enforcement of laws or their prosecution, it does have a role to play regarding how they may be enforced by police services, when relevant. This is as a result of its first nations policing program, which invests in indigenous policing, as well as with contract policing, which allows provinces and municipalities to retain the services of the RCMP as a provincial or local police force.
As mentioned, the administration of justice, including policing, is an area of provincial jurisdiction. However, Public Safety Canada works with provinces, territories and municipalities through contract RCMP policing services to ensure the effective administration and management of police services agreements.
Public Safety is responsible for the first nations policing program. This program is cost shared with provinces and territories, most of which also hold agreements with Canada for the delivery of provincial and territorial police services by the RCMP, with the exception of Ontario and Quebec.
The Government of Canada recognizes the need to strengthen and expand culturally responsive policing in indigenous communities. This is evidenced by Minister Blair's mandate commitment and the recent funding commitment announced in budget 2021, which announced $861 million over five years beginning in 2021-22, and $145 million ongoing to support culturally responsive policing and community safety services in indigenous communities. It also includes $43.7 million over five years to co-develop a legislative framework for first nations policing that recognizes first nation policing as an essential service, and $540.3 million over five years and $126.8 million ongoing to support indigenous communities currently served under the first nations policing program and to expand the program to new indigenous communities. There are $108.6 million over five years to repair, renovate and replace policing facilities in first nation and Inuit communities. The budget commitment also includes $64.6 million over five years and $18.1 million ongoing to enhance indigenous-led crime prevention strategies and community safety services, and $103.8 million over five years for Indigenous Services Canada to support a new “pathways to safe indigenous communities” initiative to support indigenous communities in developing more holistic, community-based safety and wellness models.
To advance this important work, collaboration and engagement with first nation communities and organizations, provinces and territories, police organizations and others is crucial. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us. It's very important and we are looking forward to advancing this very important mandate commitment.
Again, I thank you for inviting me to speak today. I'm available for subsequent questions.