News
Governments of Canada, Saskatchewan and Prince Albert Grand Council announce funding to study implementation of Indigenous-led police services

May 3, 2024, Prince Albert, Sask. – An investment of more than $1.4 million to support the implementation of effective and culturally appropriate police services for PAGC member communities has been announced by Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc; Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman; and Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte, of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) represents 12 First Nations comprised of 28 communities in northern Saskatchewan. PAGC members include Athabasca Denesuline, Plains/Dakota Cree, Swampy Cree and Woodland Cree First Nations.

In Oct. 2022, PAGC and the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced the creation of the PAGC Public Safety Implementation Team to advance work on Indigenous-led public safety initiatives. The findings of this work helped design and determine the costs for a feasibility study under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP).

“Our government is working collaboratively with the Prince Albert Grand Council to put in place policing services which are responsive to their particular realities and today’s announcement is in keeping with the collaborative approach which has guided us throughout our discussions,” LeBlanc said. “I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure the safety of their member communities.”

The investment announced will enable PAGC to move to the next step of the feasibility study by conducting community safety needs analysis through engagement sessions with all PAGC communities.

Quick facts

• The First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) provides funding to support professional, dedicated and culturally responsive policing services. The program supports tripartite policing agreements among the federal government, provincial or territorial governments, and First Nation or Inuit communities. Costs are shared with provinces and territories in accordance with a 52 per cent federal and 48 per cent provincial/territorial cost-share ratio.
• Budget 2024 proposes to invest $267.5 million over five years, starting in 2024-2025, and $92.5 million per year ongoing, for First Nations and Inuit-led policing.
• Budget 2021 invested $861 million over five years, beginning in 2021-2022, and $145 million ongoing, to support culturally responsive policing and community safety services in Indigenous communities.