Senator McCallum Endorses MKO’s Seven Recommendations for First Nations Policing and Public Safety

November 25, 2025

Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) has submitted a substantive brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs as part of its study on Indigenous Policing and ensuring essential public safety services for First Nations communities. MKO’s submission, supported by Senator Mary Jane McCallum, calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to address critical gaps in policing and enforcement.

In his submission Grand Chief Garrison Settee stated:

“It is the vision and central objective of the MKO First Nations and MKO that the MKO First Nations are the safest and healthiest places for our citizens to live.This vision and objective drives and guides all of MKO’s initiatives directed to policing and public safety as well as community wellness and well-being.”

Senator McCallum strongly endorsed MKO’s recommendations:

“I call on the Chair, Co-Chairs and Honourable Colleagues… to support each of the seven recommendations presented by Grand Chief Garrison Settee on behalf of MKO.”

MKO calls upon the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs to recommend:

1. That Canada enact legislation to recognize that policing services in First Nations are an essential service and that there is a statutory obligation for Canada to ensure that such essential policing services are delivered to First Nations;

2. That as part of, or a companion to, “First Nation Policing as an essential service” legislation, Canada establish and require standards-based policing services be

delivered to First Nations, similar to those policing standards established by the Ontario Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 1;

3. Consistent with the essential service and policing standards legislation, that Canada make and announce a budgetary commitment to establish and support the operation of new Self-Administered Police Services and to enhance existing services, and to expressly recognize and incorporate the role of First Nation Safety Officers as a key element of policing services in First Nations;

4. That the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program be reformed to reflect the legislative framework establishing essential services- and standards-based policing

services to First Nations;

5. That Canada, the provinces and First Nations to enter in tri-lateral arrangements to ensure that all policing services provided to First Nations are provided pursuant to a fully-costed and cost–shared arrangement that reflects essential services- and standards-based policing services that are supported by the reformed First Nations and Inuit Policing Program;

6. That Canada, as a matter of policy, recognize that policing is an element of public safety, security and well-being in First Nation communities and that Canada will

adopt and pursue – in close collaboration with First Nations – a Whole of Government Response to support the public safety, security and well-being of First

Nation communities; and

7. That the Minister of Justice introduce as Government legislation the purpose and objective of each of Bill S-223, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, and Bill S-224, An Act to amend the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, which bills are presently at the stage of second reading in the Senate of Canada.

MKO’s submission also detailed its By-law Pilot Project, which has achieved historic milestones.  For the first time in more than three decades RCMP are now enforcing the Intoxicant By-laws of the MKO First Nations, and for the first time anywhere in Canada, RCMP and First Nation Safety Officers are issuing tickets for offences under First Nation By-laws.

Grand Chief Settee stated:

“MKO places a very high priority on achieving the public safety, security and wellbeing of the MKO First Nations. MKO takes a holistic, pragmatic, solutions-based approach toward achieving MKO’s Vision of the Elements and Roles of a Whole of Government Response by establishing collaborative, co-development relationships with MKO’s First Nation, federal and provincial Key Partners.”

The House of Commons Standing Committee confirmed receipt of MKO’s and Senator McCallum’s submissions, which will be translated and considered in its final report.

MKO continues its more than 20-year journey toward establishing a First Nations Police Service for northern Manitoba First Nations.

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