Politics · Canada · 3 hrs ago
Manitoba First Nations police and safety officers to receive $163.5 million
Manitoba First Nations police and safety officers will receive $163.5 million from federal and provincial governments.
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service is set to get $121 million over four years, while $42.5 million will expand the Safety Officer Program to any community that wants it.
Some First Nation leaders say the funding is not enough for the needs of Manitoba’s 63 First Nations.
In Manto Sipi Cree Nation, safety officers respond to crime while waiting for the nearest RCMP detachment, which is more than 50 kilometres away.
RCMP response can take up to three hours in winter, when officers travel on winter roads.
Leaders say safety officers need training and equipment, and they are calling for continued support beyond this funding.
Manitoba First Nations Police and safety officers will receive $163.5 million from the provincial and federal governments.
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service will get $121 million over four years.
The Manitoba First Nations Safety Officer Program will get $42.5 million to expand access to any community that wants it.
Some First Nation leaders say the funding is not enough and call for continued support.
Manto Sipi Cree Nation Chief Michael Yellowback said the nearest RCMP station is more than 50 kilometres away and winter response times can reach three hours.
- Who
- The Manitoba First Nations Police Service and Manitoba First Nations safety officers.
- What
- They will receive $163.5 million in government funding.
- When
- The announcement was reported on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Manitoba.
- Why
- The funding is intended to support the police service and expand the Safety Officer Program. Some First Nation leaders say more support is needed.
First Nation leaders seeking more support
Provincial and federal governments providing the announced funding
Funding level
First Nation leaders seeking more support
Some leaders say the funding, particularly the $42.5 million for safety officers, is not enough.
Provincial and federal governments providing the announced funding
The governments are providing $163.5 million in total, including $42.5 million to expand the program.
Ongoing support
First Nation leaders seeking more support
Leaders say communities need continued support, training and equipment.
Provincial and federal governments providing the announced funding
The governments announced funding for the police service and safety officer program.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Total funding
- $163.5 million
- Police service funding
- $121 million over four years
- Safety Officer Program funding
- $42.5 million
- Nearest RCMP station to Manto Sipi Cree Nation
- More than 50 kilometres away
- Potential winter RCMP response time
- Up to three hours
What people are saying
Where someone lives should not determine the level of policing or investigational services they receive.
There’s 63 first nations in Manitoba and $42 million won’t go a long way
I’m hoping it’s a win-win situation for everybody, especially for our community, because our First Nation officers need that much needed training and equipment.
We need to go beyond today’s announcement. We need to go beyond and seek continued support.