Federal Court Reserves on Decision for Indigenous Police Chiefs
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Posted by Shelby Percival
- Posted in BlogsNews
On Wednesday June 14, 2023, Justice Denis Gascon of the Federal Court reserved his decision on the emergency motion brought by the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (“IPCO”) on behalf of three Indigenous police services who have been without funding since March 31, 2023.
The Treaty Three Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service, and UCCM Anishinaabe Police Service have all been operating without funding since March 31, 2023, as Canada has refused to negotiate new, non-discriminatory agreements with each of these police services.
Submissions were made on an emergency motion by the three services, who remain without funding and are unable to provide the necessary police services to the communities they oversee. IPCO has also brought a Canadian Human Rights complaint, filed on March 29, 2023, when it became clear that Canada was unwilling to negotiate new, non-discriminatory funding agreements for each of the three services. As the money dwindled the need for an emergency motion seeking relief became palpable.
Justice Gascon of the Federal Court has indicated he will provide his decision before the end June, when at least one of the services will be unable to continue operations due to money running out.
Falconers LLP has the honour of acting as legal counsel for the three services and IPCO.
Media Coverage
Colin Freeze, The Globe and Mail (June 18, 2023) – “Ontario police chiefs urge end to fixed-term funding for Indigenous policing”
Ron Grech, Northern News (June 15, 2023) – “’Systemic’ Underfunding Imperils Indigenous Police Services”
Kate Rutherford, CBC News (June 14, 2023) – “3 northern Ontario Indigenous police services await federal judge’s ruling on funding stalemate’
Adam Riley, Kenora Online (June 13, 2023) – “Mendicino ‘not satisfied with state of negotiations’”
Bronson Carver, Kenora Miner and News (June 13, 2023) – “Grand Council Treaty 3 declares state of emergency as Treaty 3 Police Service faces closure”
Jenny Lamothe, BayToday (June 13, 2023) – “Troubled times as Indigenous police services fight for funding”
Clint Fleury, Timmins Today (June 13, 2023) – “Leaders of Indigenous police services call for funding support”
Colin Freeze, The Globe and Mail (June 12, 2023) – “Talks between Ottawa and AFN break down over Indigenous Policing”
Adam Riley, Dryden Now (June 12, 2023) – “3 Indigenous police services on brink of closure”
Previous Postings
https://falconers.ca/three-indigenous-police-services-in-federal-court-tomorrow-looking-for-funding-lifeline-as-they-refuse-to-sign-discriminatory-funding-agreements/ – June 13, 2023
https://falconers.ca/indigenous-community-safety-at-risk-canada-cuts-off-funding-for-indigenous-policing/ – May 5, 2023
https://falconers.ca/indigenous-police-services-push-back-on-discriminatory-funding/ – April 3, 2023
