Program Modernization

Public Safety Canada's program modernization efforts are informed by ongoing collaborative work with First Nations and Inuit partners, as well as various reports, assessments and evaluations, including:

Engagement on First Nations Policing Reform

First Nations in Canada have consistently called for reforms to how First Nations policing is funded, governed and sustained. These calls reflect longstanding concerns about inequitable funding, the lack of legislative recognition, and the need for policing services that are grounded in First Nations laws, cultures, and governance systems.

The Government of Canada recognizes the essential role that First Nations and Inuit police services play in supporting community safety and well-being. Between 2022 and 2024, Public Safety Canada undertook a series of engagement activities with First Nations partners, policing organizations, and provincial and territorial governments to inform potential legislative and program reforms to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP).

While early engagement included exploration of potential essential service legislation, discussions extended more broadly to policing reform, including program structure, funding approaches, governance, and service delivery.

This work builds on ongoing collaboration established in June 2017, when the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on shared priorities during the first AFN–Crown meeting under the new permanent bilateral mechanism. Since then, Public Safety Canada has continued to engage with First Nations partners and policing organizations, including the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association (FNCPA) and the First Nations Police Governance Council (FNPGC), as well as provincial and territorial partners, to support ongoing program improvement.

2021: Pre-engagement

In December 2021, Public Safety Canada and Indigenous Services Canada held three pre-engagement sessions with First Nations, representatives from First Nations police services, provinces and territories, and partner organizations. These sessions sought input on how engagement should be conducted, including priority themes and key issues related to First Nations policing. Feedback informed the design of the subsequent engagement process.

2022: National Engagement

In March 2022, Public Safety Canada launched a national engagement process. This included 13 facilitated virtual sessions, an online engagement platform, and opportunities for written submissions. Participants received background information and discussion questions in advance to support meaningful dialogue. Discussions covered a broad range of issues, including funding adequacy, service standards, governance, officer recruitment and retention, infrastructure, and the potential role of federal legislation.

2022: What We Heard

In September 2022, the Government of Canada published a What We Heard Report, summarizing perspectives shared during the engagement process. The report reflected diverse and, at times, differing views on policing reform and potential legislative approaches. P articipants were invited to review and validate the report to ensure their input was accurately represented and to identify any gaps.

2023: Policy Development and Technical Engagement

Building on engagement findings, Public Safety Canada developed a set of draft objectives and guiding principles in 2023 to inform potential policy and legislative approaches. These were shared with First Nations partners and representative organizations for feedback and refinement. In parallel, technical discussions were held with subject matter experts, as well as provincial and territorial partners, to examine operational, funding, and jurisdictional considerations. These discussions focused on practical implementation challenges and opportunities.

2024: Indigenous-led Engagement

In early 2024, Public Safety Canada funded the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc. (ILDI) to lead Indigenous-led engagement. The ILDI independently designed and delivered this work, including the development of a discussion guide that reflected earlier input and identified key issues for further dialogue.

The ILDI hosted 10 regional sessions and one national session, providing space for participants to share perspectives on policing priorities, community safety needs, governance and future directions for reform. Summary reports from each session, as well as the final report, are available on ILDI's website.

2024: Program and Policy Refinement

Drawing on engagement findings and ongoing discussions with First Nations partners and stakeholders, Public Safety Canada undertook further analysis and refinement of policy and program options in 2024. This work focused on identifying ways to strengthen the FNIPP and better align it with First Nations priorities.

Key areas of consideration included:

Current Status

The engagement undertaken between 2021 and 2024 has provided a strong foundation for ongoing reform of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program. While early discussions included consideration of potential legislation, the overall focus has broadened to encompass a range of program and policy improvements.

Public Safety Canada continues to work with First Nations partners, policing organizations, and provincial and territorial governments to advance reforms that better reflect the realities, priorities, and rights of First Nations and Inuit communities.

Updates to FNIPP Terms and Conditions

Updates to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) Terms and Conditions represent an important step in modernizing the program and improving its management by enhancing flexibility, clarity and alignment with operational needs.

The changes:

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