We call upon federal, provincial, and territorial governments to commit to eliminating the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in custody over the next decade, and to issue detailed annual reports that monitor and evaluate progress in doing so.
Why “Stalled”?
July 20, 2023: Overall, the incarceration rate in provincial institutions for Indigenous people across the five provinces surveyed in 2020/21 was 42.6 people per 100,000, compared to a rate of 4 for non-Indigenous people. The following represents the disparity between incarceration rates for indigenous people vs non-Indigenous
- Saskatchewan = 17.7% higher
- Alberta = 10.8% higher
- BC = 7.9% higher
- Ontario = 6.3% higher
- Nova Scotia = 1.9% higher
There is no national strategy to monitor and report on progress in eliminating the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody. Incarceration rates for Indigenous people – who only comprise 5% of the Canadian population – continue to rise. In fact, since April 2010 the Indigenous inmate population has increased by 18.1% whereas the non-Indigenous incarcerated population has declined over the same period by 28.3%. The numbers are even more troubling for Indigenous women, who now account for almost 50% of the women inmate population in Canada. (Correctional Investigator Report Dec. 17, 2021) – up from 42% in the Office of Correctional Services 2018 – 2019 Annual Report.
In his January 2020 comments Dr. Zinger concluded: “It is not acceptable that Indigenous people in this country experience incarceration rates that are six to seven times higher than the national average. The Correctional Investigator drew attention to the fact that federal corrections seems impervious to change and unresponsive to the needs, histories and social realities behind high rates of Indigenous offending. (Toronto Star).
Most Aboriginal inmates self-identify as First Nations (68%), followed by Métis (26.5%) and Inuit (5.5%).
Capacity Building Fund of Aboriginal Justice Program is no longer accepting applications despite significant success of the program in reducing recidivism. Government also acknowledges impacts of systemic issues outside of justice system that also need to be addressed.
Multiple initiatives at both the federal and provincial/territory levels.
Significant deletions from official federal Government website “Delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action”:
- Deleted “under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories” and replaced with “in coordination with provinces and territories”
- Deleted “we are also collaborating with Statistics Canada” to measure Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system
Current Status
Stalled
Call to Action
last updated
November 15, 2024
Latest Updates
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
RCMP to rollout body-worn cameras Canada-wide next week
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1030198503?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479 APTN News:The RCMP says it will start rolling out body-worn cameras for front line staff across Canada next week, something it hopes will help……
November 15, 2024
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Millions invested in improving safety in Mi’gmaq communities
NationTalk: FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government is investing $3.6 million over three years to improve community safety in eight Mi’gmaq communities. The Mi’gmaq Peacekeeping Initiative……
July 30, 2024
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Government of Saskatchewan Announces Major Investments in Public Safety
Includes $4.7 Million for Courtroom Safety and $45 Million for First Nations Inuit Policing Program NationTalk: The Government of Saskatchewan continues to invest in major public safety……
June 10, 2024
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Governments of Canada, Saskatchewan and Prince Albert Grand Council announce funding to study implementation of Indigenous-led police services
NationTalk: Public Safety Canada – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs; the Honourable……
May 3, 2024
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Northeastern Ontario gets its first Indigenous Peoples Court
The goal is to address First Nation overrepresentation in correctional facilities An opening ceremony was held in courtroom B in the Ontario Court of Justice……
May 2, 2024
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
RCMP launches Race-Based Data Collection pilot project
Addressing systemic racism and discrimination is an organizational priority for the RCMP. NationTalk: Ottawa – After two-years of extensive consultations in communities across Canada, the……
January 9, 2024
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Expanding legal supports and services for Indigenous people living in urban areas
NationTalk: Department of Justice Canada – Toronto: Everyone in Canada should expect to live in a society where the justice system is fair and accessible.……
December 8, 2023
Correctional Investigator Annual Reports
Office of the Correctional Investigator Annual Report 2022-2023
ANNEX A: Summary of Recommendations I recommend that the Minister of Public Safety initiate an immediate and comprehensive review of the Offender Program Assignments and……
November 2, 2023
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
New head of Nunavut RCMP aims to hire more Inuit
‘We’re still struggling,’ said Chief Supt. Andrew Blackadar ‘I think people will see from our actions that the RCMP can be trusted,’ said Chief Supt.……
June 7, 2023
Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
RCMP officers to begin field testing Body-worn cameras in Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Alberta
NationTalk: As part of on-going efforts to be transparent and accountable to the communities we serve, the RCMP will start field testing body-worn cameras in……
May 11, 2023