The first nations policing program is a very important part of improving public safety in first nations and Inuit communities. It has been going on for close to 20 years. In fact, funding of approximately $17 million for the first nations policing program will sunset on March 31, 2011; therefore the public safety main estimates will reflect a return to ongoing funding.
The short-term funding was intended to provide for the sustainability of policing agreements under the first nations policing program and to conduct a comprehensive review of the program. Budget 2011 puts forward $30 million in additional funding so we can keep police officers on the street, perhaps in reference to the question put by Mr. Davies about the commitment of our government to have policing officers on the street. It's very important. Unfortunately, it appears that the opposition is determined to end the budget, and that funding will not be in place when funding lapses on March 31.