2025-2026 Reporting on the Calls for Justice: 5.1 to 5.24: Justice

Engagement and negotiations in 2025-2026 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2025-2026:

• Nova Scotia Tripartite Forum Justice Committee
• Musqueam
• Acho Dene Koe
• K'ahsho Got'ine
• Dehla Got'ine
• Akwesasne
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (MB)
• Ontario Collaborative Table
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• Wolastoqey Nation (NB)
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

AJAs respond to Call for Justice 5.1 by supporting systemic reforms that enable Indigenous communities to develop and implement their own legal orders. AJAs promote Indigenous self-governance and self-determination by creating formal mechanisms to revitalize and enforce Indigenous laws. Justice Canada's role in supporting administration of justice negotiations ensures that community-identified priorities guide the development of legal orders that reflect Indigenous laws and traditions.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by systemic discrimination benefit from AJAs through the development of restorative, trauma-informed justice approaches that prioritize safety, healing, and cultural continuity. AJAs allow communities to develop legal responses that reduce reliance on colonial justice systems and improve access to culturally appropriate justice services.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal orders and laws
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities.
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and elders to shape justice reforms
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous legal traditions into broader justice frameworks

The Government is investing $8.1 million over five years (through 2026-2027) with $1.7 million ongoing to support future work.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions- based chapters sets a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice-focuses tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.1 by taking forward the Inquiry's direction to "implement the justice system recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Public Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal People". The Strategy takes this call seriously by creating space for revitalization of Indigenous laws, legal systems and legal institutions, community-based justice programs, diversion initiatives and restorative approaches that reflect the unique needs of Indigenous people. These efforts are designed to reduce systemic barriers and ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people experience justice that is meaningful and respectful.

The work of responding to Call for Justice 5.1 is evergreen and recognizes that priorities will evolve over time for Indigenous people. Meaningful change takes time, and Justice Canada understands that drawing on decades of efforts to reduce systemic barriers is itself a long journey, but something that is deeply important. By embedding reforms sought through extensive engagement and co-developed priorities, the Strategy moves beyond symbolic commitments and begins to reshape the justice system in ways that stand alongside Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, honoring their lived experiences and affirming a shared commitment to lasting change.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long-term accountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions- based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice- focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.3 by engaging a diverse range of Indigenous voices in its development, including women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, Elders, youth, and individuals with lived experience in the justice system. The MMIWG Final Report reminds us that "Colonial violence, racism, and misogyny have created the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people." The Strategy places an emphasis on confronting systemic discrimination, by supporting Indigenous-led community justice programs that are culturally safe, trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of Indigenous people.

By prioritizing engagement with those most affected by violence and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives that reflect lived realities, the Strategy contributes to justice system responses that are more accessible, equitable, and accountable. These efforts strengthen the capacity of Indigenous communities to design and implement safety-focused, culturally grounded approaches that respond to both individual and systemic harms, and support the long-term goal of reducing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long term a ccountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

The work undertaken with First Nations, police services and provincial and territorial partners throughout the co-development process continued to guide Public Safety's program reform efforts in fiscal year 2025-2026 to better reflect the realities and needs of First Nations and Inuit communities, and ensure the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program and the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program are responsive, sustainable, and aligned with the communities they serve.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.4 by working toward the recognition of First Nations police services as essential services through the co-development of a federal legislation. The engagement process emphasized First Nations leadership and inclusive participation to ensure that a federal legislation would reflect the lived realities and priorities of First Nations themselves.

Families, survivors, and First Nations would benefit from a future legislation aimed at supporting equitable funding for First Nations police services and First Nations police governance bodies, while respecting the roles and responsibilities of First Nations and provinces/territories. By recognizing First Nations police services as essential services, the initiative would support greater safety, self-determination, and culturally appropriate police services for First Nations.

• Recognizes First Nations police services as essential: Establishes the Government of Canada's role towards funding First Nations police services as essential services
• Builds capacity for public safety and justice reform: Advances culturally appropriate, community-informed approaches to policing rooted in First Nations governance
• Supports healing and safety for families and survivors: Aims to support First Nations police services that are responsive to the needs of First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people

The government allocated $26.1 million over five years (starting in 2021).

In 2025-2026, the Pathways Initiative provided $36,015,516 in funding to 57 community safety and well-being projects. Recipients included 30 First Nations, 9 Inuit, and 7 Métis organizations and communities. 11 Indigenous urban organization's projects were also funded through the Pathways Initiative.

The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.4 by supporting Indigenous communities in developing and implementing their own safety interventions. The initiative empowers Indigenous organizations and communities to design projects that promote safety by prioritizing well-being, healing, and culturally-grounded approaches. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this initiative by gaining greater control over safety and well-being interventions that reflect their cultural traditions, priorities, and self-determined needs.

• Strengthening Indigenous self-determination: Funds the implementation of culturally appropriate safety measures that align with Indigenous communities' values
• Reducing dependence on law enforcement: Promotes alternative approaches to safety that do not rely on policing
• Addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people: Funds programs focused on the unique safety needs of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
• Enhancing Métis community safety: Funds the implementation of Métis-led safety measures that meet Métis community-specific needs and align with Métis communities' values
• Promoting holistic, Métis-led models: Emphasizes non-policing approaches to safety, including mental health and Métis traditional knowledge
• Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ and urban Métis populations: Funds programs focused on the unique safety needs of Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals

In 2025-2026, the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative provided $36,015,516 to support 57 projects. $120 million over five years (2021-2026) has been allocated to support community-led safety projects across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations, including urban-based Indigenous organizations.

$285,749 in funding was provided to the Maskwacis Cree Tribal Council's Maskwacis Cree Four Nations Pathways to Healthy Lifestyles Program. The purpose of this project is to address the significant issues and root causes of the safety issues facing the four Maskwacis Nations, focusing on holistic health and wellness sessions in all 4 communities. The sessions enhance physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness by addressing topics including violence prevention, healthy relationships, pro-social activities, language and cultural activities.

Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government was provided $167,240 to fund the Mi'gmaq Youth Leadership Peer Program. This is a custom designed youth leadership program to instill leadership skills amongst youth of Listuguj between the ages of 12 and 1seven years of age. Project activities include youth participating in discussions, team building exercises, workshops and cultural events to promote pro-social behaviours and self-esteem growth.

Woodstock First Nation received $112,025 to address increased criminal activity and high traffic from non-community members by installing enhanced solar-powered street lighting and surveillance cameras. By improving visibility and coverage, the project seeks to create a safer environment for community members and strengthen long-term resilience.

The ACSPI hosted a Gathering of communities in Edmonton, Alberta, bringing together representatives from participating communities to learn from shared experiences, discuss and support best practices, and provide resources and measures that support Indigenous-led safety planning. The theme of the Gathering was 'Our Voices, Our Safety: Crafting Resilient Strategies from Within,' and topics included strengthening Indigenous-led safety models, working toward a community-centered approach to information management, youth engagement, and best practices for recruiting and retaining volunteers.

Throughout 2025-2026, the ACSPI worked with communities across Canada to complete safety planning through facilitator-guided workshops and knowledge-sharing across communities. Of these communities, 11 submitted completed Community Safety Plans within the fiscal year and 35 processes remain ongoing.

The ACSPI responds to Call for Justice 5.5iv by supporting Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans that identify culturally sensitive, community-led safety and well-being initiatives to address their unique circumstances. By seeking the endorsement of the process by Indigenous community leadership, ACSPI ensures that safety planning efforts align with the distinct needs, traditions, and goals of each community. This approach fosters self-determined, sustainable solutions for safety and well-being.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from ACSPI by gaining access to community tailored, culturally relevant safety planning and the resources needed to create safer, healthier communities.

• Holistic, community-driven, culturally-informed, and self-determined safety planning:
  • Indigenous communities develop Community Safety Plans that integrate cultural, social, safety and mental health needs and perspectives into safety and wellness strategies
  • Indigenous communities lead the development of their safety plans and any associated initiatives, reinforcing self-governance, and supporting initiatives that reflect Indigenous traditions, governance, and knowledge systems
• Strengthened local crisis response capacity: Offers funding for projects designed by the community to meet their unique community safety and well-being needs, which could include projects aimed at strengthening crisis response
• Community-led crime prevention: Indigenous communities receive support to develop and implement projects to achieve goals identified in their Community Safety Plans
• Sustainable and community-led initiatives:
  • Once a community has a Community Safety Plan, they are able to apply for funding to implement safety projects tailored to their distinct needs
  • Funding can be for projects designed to build capacity or increase readiness, as well as for longer term (five year) project implementation
• Partnerships: Encourages partnerships between Indigenous organizations, local service providers, and governments to enable the achievement of community safety and well being goals

In 2020 $6.27 million was allocated over five years (starting in 2021), with an additional 2021 investment of $40.5 million allocated over five years (starting in 2021), with $11.6 million ongoing.

In fiscal year 2025-2026, a total of nineteen projects were funded under the FNIPFP, including one new builds and eighteen ongoing projects:

• One new build was initiated in Manitoba for the Manitoba First Nation Police Service in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
• The eighteen continuing projects are located across Alberta, Ontario and Quebec – mainly supporting the construction of a new policing infrastructure (for example, Detachment)

Total expenditure for fiscal year 2025-2026 was: $21,493,161 - comprising $1,406,486 for new projects and $20,086,675 for continuing initiatives.

To respond to part of Call for Justice 5.5, the FNIPFP provides funding for infrastructure builds, acquisitions, repairs and renovations to ensure Indigenous police services are able to operate in stable, safe and culturally appropriate facilities that meet the community needs. By addressing critical infrastructure gaps, the program strengthens public safety and enhances community confidence in local policing.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities impacted by the MMIWG2S+ crisis are served through improved conditions for front-line policing and by reinforcing the infrastructure required for trauma-informed, community-based safety services. The program directly supports grassroots efforts toward Indigenous self-determination in justice and policing.

• Improved safety and operational capacity: Modern, code-compliant facilities ensure safer environments for both officers and community members
• Support for self-determined policing: Infrastructure investments contribute to the viability of Indigenous-led police services
• Targeted investments in underserved communities: Projects focused on northern and remote First Nations in Ontario and Quebec, where infrastructure needs are particularly acute
• Partnership with Indigenous governance: Funding is directed to Indigenous authorities and facility owners, ensuring accountability and responsiveness to local priorities

Budget 2021 allocated $159.4 million over seven years (fiscal year 2021–2022 to fiscal year 2027–2028) to the FNIPFP^{Footnote 1}.

In addition, Budget 2024 allocated $200 million over five years starting 2024-2025 for projects under the FNIPFP. These investments provide the FNIPFP with a total annual reference level of $81,922,937 for fiscal year 2025-2026. A transfer of $15,427,063 was made to the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program to supplement the trilateral contribution agreement with Nishnawbe Aski Police Service and the province of Ontario in order to address operational needs.

As of March 31, 2026, a total of 11 4 projects received support through the program in fiscal year 2025-2026, including 109 in First Nations communities, one in Inuit community, and four in First Nations and Inuit communities. Of these, 40 projects were (or planned to be) newly funded for existing First Nations and/or Inuit communities served under the FNIPP; while 72 First Nations projects and one Inuit projects were carried over from previous fiscal years. One project serving multiple Indigenous (First Nations and Inuit) demographic groups was continuing from previous fiscal years.

This does not include the 140+ Community Tripartite Agreements funded pursuant to Framework Agreements for the use of the RCMP for community policing services. In addition, a transfer of $15,427,063 was made to the FNIPP from the First Nations and Inuit Policing Facilities Program to supplement the trilateral contribution agreement with Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) and the province of Ontario in order to address critical infrastructure needs. Altogether, these investments bring a total disbursement of FNIPP funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 to approximately $392,977,193. These totals include newly funded projects, continuing agreements, and initiatives expected to be completed. It also includes the transfer to the RCMP in the amount of $76,196,312 for the delivery of dedicated policing to First Nations and Inuit communities under Community Tripartite Agreements.

Examples of projects funded in fiscal year 2025-2026 include:

• Community Consultative Group Advisory Funding for the Government of the Northwest Territories: Launched April 2025, this initiative funds the Government of Northwest Territories in order to support communities to establish and maintain Community Consultative Groups. The board is made up of members selected from the community that ensures the policing interests of the community are well represented. Total agreement funding for 2025-2026: $0.28 million (100% federal).
• Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Agreement: Continued support for a First Nations police service operating in remote and northern communities, but not limited to. Total agreement funding: $63.37 million (with $32.43 million federal share).
• Nunavik Police Service for administrating policing services in the Kativik region: Continued funding for a Inuit police service providing daily and local policing services to the 14 Inuit communities of the Kativik Regional Government. Total agreement funding for 2025-2026: $ 134.89 million ($50.64 million federal share).
• Community Tripartite Agreements : Dedicated RCMP officers deployed to serve First Nations and Inuit communities pursuant to negotiated Framework Agreements with the respective province or territory.

The FNIPP responds to part of Call for Justice 5.5, as ongoing stabilization efforts are expected to lead to more equitable and sustainable funding for community-based policing models. The program has expanded its reach, with a substantial increase in funding and service delivery coverage. However, continued improvements in program governance, as highlighted by the 2024 Auditor General Report on the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program, are necessary to ensure long-term equity and accountability in support of Indigenous-led policing.

Indigenous survivors, families, and communities impacted by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people benefit from the FNIPP through improved access to dedicated and culturally informed policing services that prioritize community trust, safety, and responsiveness. By supporting the operational stability and capacity of Indigenous police services, the program strengthens local responses to gender-based violence and enhances preventative safety efforts in communities.

• Expanded access to culturally responsive policing: Supported policing services in Indigenous communities, including new communities joining existing self-administered services
• Community safety and stability: Ongoing and completed projects enhanced the capacity of Indigenous police services to provide dedicated, locally relevant safety services
• Collaborative governance: Engaged with Indigenous governments and policing boards guided program modernization and funding allocations
• Program renewal and oversight: Advanced policy updates and oversight mechanisms to strengthen alignment with Indigenous priorities and improve long-term program effectiveness

In 2021, the Government earmarked $540.3 million over five years, ending in 2025-2026, with $126.8 million in ongoing annual funding. Further, the Government earmarked $250 million over five years, starting in 2024-2025, with $92.5 million in ongoing annual funding. In 2025-2026, total funding disbursed was $316,780,881 covering new, continuing, and completed projects in both First Nations and Inuit communities. Additionally, it provided $76,196,312 to the RCMP for the delivery of existing CTAs in First Nations and Inuit communities. The disbursement of investments were made against a total annual reference level of $392,977,193 for fiscal year 2025-2026, including the $15,427,063 funding transferred from the FNIPFP to increase the support to NAPS under the FNIPP.

In autumn 2024, Public Safety Canada held a call for applications for three programs in the National Crime Prevention Strategy. These programs were the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund, the Crime Prevention Action Fund, and the Youth Gang Prevention Fund. This was the first open call for applications for the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund. This public call for applications was to increase community participation and enhance opportunities for Indigenous-led crime prevention initiatives. In 2025-26, 13 agreements were signed.

For administrative purposes, Indigenous community safety projects that would have been eligible under the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund are instead being advanced through the Crime Prevention Action Fund.

The NICPF responds to Call for Justice 5.5iv by funding the development and implementation of Indigenous-led, culturally sensitive crime prevention programs. These initiatives recognize the historical and systemic factors that contribute to crime and victimization in Indigenous communities and prioritize solutions that are rooted in Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and self-determined approaches. Through NICPF, Indigenous communities have access to resources that support proactive safety programs, and culturally relevant crime prevention training. This ensures that crime prevention efforts align with Indigenous governance structures and local priorities, strengthening community resilience and safety. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program as it provides direct support for Indigenous-led crime prevention solutions that result in safer communities.

• Preventative approach to community safety: Funds the development of local, community-led safety strategies that address crime prevention and community safety through an Indigenous lens. Supports sustainable, preventative, and accessible services
• Capacity building: Funds initiatives that strengthen the ability of Indigenous and northern communities to implement and sustain crime prevention strategies
• Knowledge sharing and Indigenous designed responses: Facilitates the dissemination of best practices in Indigenous crime prevention to ensure culturally relevant approaches are widely accessible. Support Indigenous-designed safety strategies that integrate cultural knowledge and address systemic factors contributing to crime and victimization
• Culturally responsive crime prevention: Supports the development of community-led programs that integrate Indigenous cultural values into crime prevention strategies
• Increased accessibility: Expands opportunities for Indigenous organizations and communities to secure funding for crime prevention initiatives

The Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund is supported by $22,783,865 over five years allocated in 2021 and $6 million ongoing.

Funding was announced for 11 new broadband projects and 2 new mobile projects to improve connectivity in Indigenous communities. These projects will bring high-speed internet to over 6,000 Indigenous households in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, and improve mobile coverage along 122 kilometers of highway surrounding Indigenous communities in British Columbia.

Five connectivity projects in Indigenous communities were completed across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, bringing high-speed internet to over 3,000 Indigenous households and improving mobile phone coverage along 24 kilometers of highway surrounding Indigenous communities in British Columbia.

Federal investments under the UBF respond to Call for Justice 5.5i by extending wireless cellular coverage and broadband infrastructure in rural and remote communities, inclusive of Indigenous communities, particularly those in remote and northern regions. Through extended connectivity, community safety is enhanced, including along transportation corridors like the Highway of Tears. This reduced safety risks for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people who face heightened vulnerabilities in isolated areas. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this program by gaining improved access to emergency response services, justice-related digital tools, and overall community safety enhancements through reliable high-speed Internet.

• Enhanced community safety: Supports connectivity along high-risk areas, such as the Highway of Tears, where Indigenous women and girls have faced violence
• Increased communication infrastructure: Strengthens emergency response capabilities in remote communities
• Improved justice system access: Enables remote Indigenous policing services to access digital forensic tools, case management systems, and inter-jurisdictional collaboration
• Improved digital access in Inuit communities: Through its goal of 98% of Canadian households having access to high-speed Internet by 2026 and 100% by 2030, the Government of Canada is working towards all of Nunavut's 25 communities benefiting from federal connectivity investments, and is supporting education, telehealth, and governance
• Enhanced economic participation: Strengthens opportunities for Inuit businesses and remote work options
• Support for self-governance: Enables Inuit leadership to engage in digital governance, education, and service delivery

$3.225 billion program, inclusive of $50 million for mobile projects that improve cellular coverage in areas that primarily benefit Indigenous peoples, including projects along highways and roads where mobile connectivity is lacking. So far, UBF announcements under the Mobile Stream have been made in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. The announced projects are providing mobile connectivity to over 1,109 kilometres of road.

• Continued funding in support of 27 Indigenous-led projects in all regions of Canada to assist families of missing and murdered Indigenous people
• While many of the projects underway are focused on families of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls, activities also included community-based supports and healing services for families of men and boys
• A Community of Practice led by Justice Canada was launched in 2025-2026 designed to build connections among the projects to foster opportunities for shared learning and meaningful knowledge exchange on good practices in supporting families

The CSHF initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by increasing access to Indigenous-led, distinctions-based, and community-specific victim services and supports. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative through increased access to critical healing spaces and culturally relevant support networks that help families navigate grief, loss, and trauma.

• Strengthening family and community healing: By offering healing circles, ceremonies, and family-centered supports, the initiative fosters collective healing
• Increased access to culturally grounded supports and culturally specific trauma-informed approach:
  • The initiative funds community-based healing services that integrate Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices
  • Services are designed to create safe spaces for families, incorporating Indigenous knowledge and Western therapeutic practices
  • Services are delivered by Métis, First Nations, and Inuit organizations to ensure they reflect cultural values, traditions, and knowledge
  • The initiative funds activities such as land-based healing, sharing circles, and counseling with Elders
  • Families receive support through culturally specific, relevant project activities that promote healing and resilience
• Trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach: Services prioritize the safety, dignity, and empowerment of families
• Culturally safe and Inuit-led supports: Projects are designed and delivered by Inuit communities, ensuring cultural relevance
• Greater access to trauma-informed support: Families receive grief counseling, healing circles, and community gatherings

2023 investments allocated $20 million over five years, with $4.15 million annually to sustain and expand the initiative. This funding has allowed for the growth in the number of projects funded each year, and since the funding is ongoing, multi-year workplans and activities can be funded. In 2025-2026, just over $4.4 million was committed for funding to support Community Supports and Healing for Families activities.

In fiscal year 2025-2026, the initiative continued to build on the expanded mandate introduced in 2023 including:

• continued funding for FILUs in each province and territory in partnership with provincial and territorial governments
• continued Inter-jurisdictional information sharing to inform renewed models and new activities within the FILU framework, including the planning of a FILU knowledge exchange
• realignment by some jurisdictions to ensure that the appropriate provincial or territorial department/ministry is delivering and monitoring the FILUs

The FILU initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by providing families of missing and murdered Indigenous people with access to culturally grounded, family-centred, and trauma-informed victim services. Call for Justice 5.6 calls on all levels of government to develop an enhanced, holistic, and comprehensive approach to supporting Indigenous victims of crime and the families and friends of Indigenous murdered or missing persons. FILUs contribute to this approach by creating a framework for all levels of government to work together to support families and survivors, and by working directly with families to obtain information across justice and social service systems, and by connecting them to culturally appropriate supports, including mental health, legal, and community-based services. With renewed federal investment, the scope of FILUs has expanded to also include families of missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by receiving information they are entitled to about their missing or murdered loved one, in a wraparound, culturally respectful manner that honours their experiences and may help create or build trust in the criminal justice system and victim serving agencies.

• Enhanced family-centered services: FILUs ensure that families have access to all the available information about their loved one, from multiple agencies, and connects families to all available supports they may need at the community level
• Culturally grounded support and First Nations, Métis and Inuit specific support services:
  • FILUs across Canada are regularly building their capacity to address and reflect the unique needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit families navigating the justice system so that families receive culturally relevant, trauma-informed services that reflect their values, traditions and experiences.
  • A key principle for FILUs is that they provide trauma-informed services that respect Indigenous traditions.
• Enhanced interagency collaboration and interjurisdictional coordination to eliminate jurisdictional barriers:
  • FILUs assist families in accessing information about their loved ones across sectors (for example, justice, corrections, health, social services) as well as across federal, provincial, and territorial systems.
  • FILUs support families in overcoming systemic barriers by coordinating access to information from various agencies, including police, courts, and victim services. At the same time, FILUs work across and between provinces and territories to ensure a coordinated response.
  • FILUs also provide coordinated, inter-jurisdictional support for families through the National FILU Network, creating opportunities to support family members who live in one province or territory to access information about their loved one held in another.
• Enhanced services: FILUs are now able to develop and design new methods to support families, including families of missing or murdered men and boys - some FILUS have moved forward in this area and others are exploring options to do so.

FILUs are funded through the Federal Victims Strategy's Victims Fund, with a 2023 commitment of $37.3 million over five years and $7.5 million annually on an ongoing basis. In 2025-2026, almost $7.4 million was committed for provinces and territories for the delivery of the FILUs.

As of fiscal year 2024-2025, the ongoing funding provided for in 2024 has been allocated to IJP Community-based Justice Fund recipients. This funding enhancement has ensured there are no lapses in justice services provided by IJP funded programs and addresses key gaps in access to Indigenous cultural programs and services that are effective in addressing overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Some examples of IJP community-based justice programs that received program integrity funding include:

• the Tsuu'tina Nation in Alberta who provides Peacemaker services to the Tsuu'tina Peacemaker court on-reserve
• the Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network in Nova Scotia that promotes prevention, provides diversion services referred by provincial courts or Indigenous court workers, communities and provide sentencing circles
• the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society in British Columbia that delivers prevention, alternative measures, support to Vancouver Indigenous court and victim's support

The IJP responds to Call for Justice 5.6 by ensuring community-based justice alternatives that prioritize culturally relevant restorative justice, and healing-centered legal processes. While IJP's primary focus is diversion and restorative justice, it also plays a role in addressing victims' needs by supporting Indigenous-led community justice programs that involve trauma-informed and culturally relevant services for victims, survivors, and families. The IJP funds civil and family mediation services ensuring Indigenous families receive culturally safe legal support. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from access to culturally relevant mediation and victim support services that reduce re-traumatization and promote healing.

• Prevention and diversion: IJP-funded programs focus on diversion, mediation, and restorative justice, helping prevent violence and conflict before they escalate to formal legal proceedings. Programs support pre-charge, post-charge, and sentencing diversion to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing
• Focus on Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Métis communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Métis-specific mediation: Programs facilitate family and community mediation. Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Conflict resolution support: Mediation prevents legal escalation and promotes family unity

In 2024, the Government invested $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program. Investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities in funding agreements that span 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

Under the Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People Contribution Program, funding provided in 2025-2026 enabled Indigenous recipients to offer culturally appropriate and trauma informed care and services that support the healing journey of Indigenous families and survivors that have been impacted by violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In 2025-2026, the funding was fully allocated, supporting ongoing existing multi-year projects, two new multi-year projects and one new single-year project. The initiatives funded focused on supporting family members and survivors of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people to find healing in a form that is meaningful to them. The program supports projects such as holding celebrations of life and legacy for individual survivors, families or communities of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and resource centres or navigators to assist family members and survivors in accessing the culturally relevant supports that are available to them.

This initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.6 by funding programs that deliver trauma care, emotional support, and culturally grounded services through an accessible Call for Proposals process. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by receiving equitable and culturally appropriate support services that help them navigate the impacts of crime, violence and loss.

• Culturally relevant healing services: Funding supports projects that incorporate traditional Indigenous practices and ceremonies
• Sustained funding for healing programs: Funding allows for long-term program sustainability and community-driven solutions
• Accessible and low-barrier support: Ensures that funding reaches communities in need without complex bureaucratic hurdles and reduces barriers to accessing essential healing services for Indigenous victims and families
• Holistic support services: Provides Indigenous victims and families with trauma-informed care, counseling, and community-driven healing initiatives
• Sustained community-led programs: Supports Indigenous-led organizations in developing long-term support networks
• Métis-led healing initiatives: Ensures services are designed and delivered by Métis communities for Métis people

The program offers ongoing funding of $2.5 million per fiscal year to support healing journeys of Indigenous families and survivors that have been impacted by violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMIWG2S+) initiatives.

In 2025-2026, just over $3 million, above the $2.5 million in annual funding as it included deferred allocations from fiscal year 2024-2025, was allocated to successful Indigenous organizations and community-led project recipients of The Support for the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People Contribution Program, led by CIRNAC. The funding provided Indigenous groups with the ability to offer culturally appropriate and trauma informed care and services that support the healing journey of Indigenous families and survivors that have been impacted by violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

The approved funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 supported 10 existing multi-year projects, two new multi-year projects and one single-year project. Thirteen Indigenous organizations were approved for funding to support the projects.

• Continued funding in support of 43 Indigenous-led and jointly led projects designed to increase access to justice for Métis, First Nation, and Inuit people who have experienced crime and violence
• Led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations, agencies and governments, the work undertaken in 2025-2026 focused on partnership building, training, and the design and development of community-based trauma-informed models to meet their objectives of enhancing access to victim services and victim supports and reducing the harm that Indigenous victims of crime experience when in the criminal justice system. Some projects were led by non-Indigenous organizations, with required Indigenous partnerships and confirmation that no Indigenous-led organization had the capacity to deliver the project in that area.

This initiative supports Call for Justice 5.6 by increasing access to trauma-informed, Indigenous-led services and supports for Indigenous victims of crime and their families. Victims, survivors, families and Indigenous communities benefit by receiving sustained and culturally relevant victim services and supports that promote healing, justice, and empowerment.

• Culturally safe supports: Expands access to Indigenous-led services tailored to the specific needs of those in the sex industry, as well as those that are victims of human trafficking
• Harm reduction and safety: Provides safe spaces and resources that promote well-being and security
• Trauma supports: Increases access to culturally grounded, trauma-informed supports for Indigenous victims of crime, even if they choose not to report the crime, at the community level
• Indigenous-led victim services:
  • Access to community designed and delivered services and supports to assist victims to navigate the criminal justice system, access information, and implement their rights
  • It recognizes the unique needs of diverse Indigenous communities and supports by and for Indigenous Peoples
• Sustained services and supports: Through multi-year agreements Indigenous governments and organizations have support to design and deliver culturally appropriate victim services and supports and build partnerships with provincial and territorial victim services to share training and strengthen relationships with criminal justice agencies.
• Child advocacy centres:
  • Supports Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed spaces providing holistic care for child victims under one roof to lessen the impacts of traumatic experiences and pave the path for healing
  • The child advocacy centre initiative supports the development of new Indigenous child advocacy centre s and the expansion of Indigenous-led supports and services across existing child advocacy centres

The federal government allocated $38.6 million over five years (2023 to 2028), with $8 million ongoing. Through these investments, the federal government has committed to expand and strengthen Indigenous-led victim services, and to support partnerships to increase access to justice for Indigenous victims and survivors of crime within the criminal justice system. Ongoing federal funding ensures that Indigenous organizations can continue to deliver culturally relevant, community-based victim support services and build partnerships with others working in the justice system to better support victims and survivors. In 2025-2026, over $7.3 million was committed to support Indigenous-led approaches to support Indigenous victims and survivors of crime.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions- based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice- focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.10 by supporting the revitalization of Indigenous laws, legal systems, and traditions as central components of justice system reform. Co-developed with Indigenous partners, the strategy identifies specific actions to support the recognition and implementation of Indigenous legal traditions alongside measures to address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation. The strategy draws on recommendations from national commissions and inquiries and affirms the importance of Indigenous Peoples' inherent right to develop and maintain their own legal institutions. Through targeted engagement and policy development, the strategy advances a coordinated approach to integrating Indigenous laws within broader justice frameworks, while respecting the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous communities.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities impacted by colonial legal systems benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its support for Indigenous-led approaches that draw on cultural values, traditions, teachings and community-defined concepts of justice. By prioritizing the revitalization and recognition of Indigenous legal orders, the strategy enables communities to reclaim control over justice processes in ways that promote healing, accountability, and long-term safety. These efforts contribute to a more inclusive and balanced justice system that affirms Indigenous rights and strengthens access to justice for those historically marginalized within existing legal frameworks.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long-term accountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The federal government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

Engagement and negotiations in 2025-2026 have continued across multiple regions, with First Nations partners seeking to advance tailored justice systems that integrate traditional legal practices. Discussions have focused on articulating pathways for the revitalization, enforcement, and recognition of Indigenous laws. Key areas of work identified through these negotiations include legal coexistence, capacity building, law enforcement, and the development of community-based justice mechanisms.

Justice Canada engaged with the following First Nations partners in 2025-2026:

• Nova Scotia Tripartite Forum Justice Committee
• Musqueam
• Acho Dene Koe
• K'ahsho Got'ine
• Dehla Got'ine
• Akwesasne
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (MB)
• Ontario Collaborative Table
• Teslin Tlingit Council
• Peskotomuhkati
• Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated
• Elsipogtog First Nation
• Wolastoqey Nation (NB)
• Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council
• Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Red Earth Cree Nation
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO)
• Six Nations of the Grand River
• Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO)
• Manitoba Tripartite Table

AJAs respond to Call for Justice 5.11 by increasing the federal government's capacity to engage with Indigenous governments that wish to revitalize their legal orders and develop culturally relevant justice responses. Justice Canada's participation at RIRSD tables supports growing requests from Indigenous partners to enter into negotiations that reflect their distinct legal traditions and governance structures.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from AJAs through enhanced access to justice services that reflect Indigenous legal traditions and are grounded in community values. AJAs contribute to justice system transformation by recognizing the legitimacy of Indigenous laws and institutions, and supporting Indigenous-led responses to harm, healing, and accountability.

• Supports legal revitalization: Enables Indigenous communities to restore and implement their own legal orders and laws
• Promotes community safety: Advances culturally grounded justice systems that reflect the safety needs and priorities of Indigenous communities
• Enhances self-governance: Recognizes Indigenous authority and jurisdiction in the administration of justice
• Increases representation: Creates space for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and elders to shape justice reforms
• Advances systemic change: Contributes to the transformation of colonial legal structures by integrating Indigenous legal traditions into broader justice frameworks

The Government is investing $8.1 million over five years (through 2026-2027) with $1.7 million ongoing to support future work.

Provinces and territories currently receiving federal support for the development and/or delivery of Indigenous family courtwork services include: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Justice Canada continues to work with other jurisdictions to develop frameworks for future delivery of Family Courtwork services.

The Indigenous Family Courtwork Services program responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by enhancing access to justice for Indigenous peoples through culturally grounded, community-based legal navigation and support. This program helps Indigenous clients understand and navigate available justice options, including alternative dispute resolution processes and community-based interventions where available.

By embedding service delivery in Indigenous agencies, the program advances culturally appropriate justice that supports informed choices, including diversion or community-led alternatives; advocacy for Indigenous perspectives in family and child protection proceedings; and, strengthened pathways to justice that build trust and accountability in the legal system for Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from increased advocacy, reduced barriers to justice, and stronger connections to appropriate dispute resolution processes.

• Empowered Indigenous clients: Individuals gain knowledge of their legal rights, leading to more informed decision-making
• Culturally competent services and culturally relevant legal navigation: Courtworkers provide support in ways that align with Indigenous values and traditions
• Stronger family and community support: Referrals to culturally relevant services ensure families receive holistic assistance
• Stronger advocacy and court support: Courtworkers help Indigenous individuals understand court processes and advocate on their behalf
• Increased access to justice, including restorative justice: By guiding Indigenous clients through the family court system, Courtworkers help reduce system barriers, and Courtworkers support non-adversarial resolutions in family and child protection cases
• Improved justice system equity: The program addresses systemic legal barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous families

2025-2026: To date, $2,437,158 has been allocated to support Indigenous families involved in the family and/or child protection justice systems. Funding for building new delivery frameworks, and/or ongoing services is provided through agreements with provincial and territorial governments and services are delivered by Indigenous service providers. Federal funding for family courtwork services was provided to British Columbia, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Northwest Territories, and Justice Canada continues to work with all jurisdictions in support of family courtwork services.

As of fiscal year 2024-2025, the ongoing program integrity funding provided for in 2024 has been allocated to IJP Community-based Justice Fund recipients. This funding enhancement has ensured there are no lapses in justice services provided by IJP funded programs and addresses key gaps in access to Indigenous cultural programs and services that are effective in addressing overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Some examples of IJP community-based justice programs that received program integrity funding include:

• the Tsuu'tina Nation in Alberta who provides Peacemaker services to the Tsuu'tina Peacemaker court on-reserve
• the Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network in Nova Scotia that promotes prevention, provides diversion services referred by provincial courts or Indigenous court workers, communities and provide sentencing circles
• the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society in British Columbia that delivers prevention, alternative measures, support to Vancouver Indigenous court and victim's support

The IJP responds to part of Call for Justice 5.11 by funding and strengthening Indigenous-led, community-based justice initiatives that provide legal support, mediation, and restorative justice services. The program helps ensure Indigenous individuals have access to alternatives to the mainstream justice system, which has historically failed them, and ensures justice initiatives are responsive, culturally relevant, and inclusive of restorative justice practices.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from a justice system that upholds their legal traditions, ensures community safety, and reduces the criminalization of Indigenous people.

• Prevention and diversion: IJP-funded programs focus on diversion, mediation, and restorative justice, helping prevent violence and conflict before they escalate to formal legal proceedings. Programs support pre-charge, post-charge, and sentencing diversion to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing
• Focus on Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Métis communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Métis-specific mediation: Programs facilitate family and community mediation. Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Conflict resolution support: Mediation prevents legal escalation and promotes family unity

In 2024, the Government invested $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program. Investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities in funding agreements that span 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions-based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice-focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting and to develop regional costed implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.11 by drawing directly on the truths documented in the Final Report. The report affirmed that many Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people encountered a justice system that was "inaccessible, uncaring, and unsafe", and that these failures contributed to what the Inquiry named a cultural genocide. Guided by these findings, the strategy advances actions that expand access to culturally grounded justice pathways, including restorative processes, and community led services shaped by Indigenous laws and knowledge systems. These measures reflect the Inquiry's conclusion that meaningful justice responses for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people require. support that is Indigenous-led and community-based alternatives to incarceration, trauma-informed approaches, and the development of culturally safe legal services. These actions are grounded in ongoing engagement with a broad range of Indigenous rights holders and organizations and are informed by long-standing recommendations from national inquiries and commissions.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long term accountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The federal government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of costed regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

The IJP continues to support 34 civil and family mediation projects across Canada in 2025-2026. These are three-year projects from 2024-2025 to 2026-2027, with a number of projects building off of the initial projects funded from funding commitments made in 2021. Current investments have prioritized support for 26 rural and remote projects that experience greater gaps in access to justice programs and services.

A few examples of funded projects include:

• Tla'amin First Nation in British Columbia to develop a Strengthening Families Program inclusive of family case planning and family group conferencing
• Yorkton Tribal Council in Saskatchewan to develop a family circle program to provide family mediation and school-based conflict mediation
• Tlicho Government in Northwest Territories to establish a family mediation program that handles civil disputes, intergenerational conflicts and family custody and parenting plans
• the Six Nations Government in Ontario to provide services to clients involved in civil and family matters

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by expanding access to Indigenous-led justice programs that reflect the cultural values, laws, and traditions of Indigenous communities. By centering justice solutions within Indigenous communities, the program ensures that justice processes are culturally relevant, inclusive, and restorative rather than punitive. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program by gaining access to justice solutions that prioritize healing, respect traditional governance structures, and offer safe reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the mainstream justice system.

• Culturally rooted support for families and youth:
  • Ensures that custody disputes and family conflicts are resolved in a manner that prioritizes healing and reconciliation
  • Provides Indigenous-led mediation that incorporates traditional practices and values
  •  Ensures that mediation processes are culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-driven
• Conflict prevention: Works to resolve disputes in a non-adversarial manner and aims to reduce the likelihood of legal escalation
• Increased access to Indigenous-led justice: Expands alternatives to mainstream legal processes, reducing barriers to justice for Indigenous people and provides culturally aligned mediation that respects Indigenous traditions and governance

In 2024, the Indigenous Justice Program received $14.5 million over five years and $2.9 million ongoing for Civil and Family Mediation. Currently, 34 projects are funded from 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

While no new Gladue Aftercare programs were funded in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Justice Program currently funds 48 programs to deliver Gladue Aftercare services across Canada to provide post-sentence Gladue aftercare to clients who have had a Gladue report in meeting the conditions of their sentence and implementing other recommendations from the report. Programs address Gladue factors and deliver a range of services such as, but not limited to, developing healing plans, navigating services for clients, and working with clients who attend Indigenous-specific courts.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.11 by enhancing accessibility to meaningful and culturally appropriate justice practices, including expanded restorative justice programs and Indigenous Peoples' courts. The investment in Gladue report writing and aftercare services ensures Indigenous individuals receive fair and equitable treatment under the law.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative through increased access to culturally responsive services that uphold Indigenous rights and reduce systemic discrimination in the justice system.

• Increased access to restorative justice: Expanded programming ensures Indigenous individuals have alternatives to mainstream sentencing
• Support for Gladue aftercare: Community-based programs assist individuals in meeting their sentencing conditions and implementing report recommendations
• Legal system reform: Training and structural changes promote justice system accountability and responsiveness to Indigenous needs
• Strength-based reporting: Gladue reports promote fair and culturally informed sentencing
• Judicial system accountability: Education and training for legal professionals help embed Gladue Principles into practice
• Culturally specific sentencing options: Increased funding supports alternatives to conventional punitive sentencing
• Indigenous-led justice programs: Community-based solutions empower Indigenous self-determination in justice processes
• Systemic change in sentencing practices: Enhanced training and education ensure Indigenous perspectives are embedded in judicial decisions

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, including:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.1 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare. In 2024-2025, 48 programs were funded to provided Gladue Aftercare services across the country for Indigenous justice clients impacted by Gladue factors. These funding agreements span 2024-2025 to 2026 - 2027. No new agreements were entered into for 2025-2026, as the existing agreements include 2025-2026.
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles for Gladue Systemic Change projects to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies. These funds sunset March 31, 2025, therefore no new funding agreements were entered into in 2025-2026 for Gladue Systemic Change projects.
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports. In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland-Labrador and Manitoba.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions- based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice- focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.12 by drawing upon and advancing the justice-related recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Public Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal People, and other national commissions and inquiries. Through co-development with Indigenous partners, the strategy identifies specific measures to address systemic discrimination, and strengthen Indigenous-led justice initiatives. These measures reflect long-standing calls to reform the justice system and improve outcomes for Indigenous people, particularly in relation to culturally relevant legal services, restorative justice, and alternatives to incarceration.

The Strategy also advances Call for Justice 5.12 by acknowledging that the absence of Indigenous representation in courts is rooted in a long history of colonial structures that excluded Indigenous voices from decision making. It supports measures that foster Indigenous leadership within judicial institutions by strengthening recognition of Indigenous legal traditions, creating space for Indigenous decision makers across all levels of the court system. By addressing the systemic barriers that have limited Indigenous participation, the strategy contributes to a justice system that reflects the people it serves and offers stronger pathways to safety, dignity, and accountability for Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and their communities.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers.
• Long-term accountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

In 2024, the government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

$90 million was allocated to support the continued delivery of criminal legal aid services for economically disadvantaged individuals, including Indigenous peoples, in order to address overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.

The Criminal Legal Aid initiative responds to part of Call for Justice 5.13 by enhancing access to legal representation for economically disadvantaged populations, including Indigenous peoples, through increased federal investments.

In addition to the ongoing funding of $142.4 million per year, the government allocated $440 million over five years, starting in 2024-2025, to continue supporting the delivery of criminal legal aid services. Within this allocation, $90 million is earmarked for fiscal year 2025-2026 to further enhance access to justice and reduce disproportionate criminalization.

While no new Gladue Aftercare programs were funded in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Justice Program currently funds 48 programs to deliver Gladue Aftercare services across Canada to provide post-sentence Gladue aftercare to clients who have had a Gladue report in meeting the conditions of their sentence and implementing other recommendations from the report. Programs address Gladue factors and deliver a range of services such as, but not limited to, developing healing plans, navigating services for clients, and working with clients who attend Indigenous-specific courts.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.15 by ensuring Gladue reports are  adequately resourced.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by having culturally appropriate sentencing options that consider the full context of Indigenous individuals' lived experiences, ultimately reducing overrepresentation in the justice system.

• Increased access to restorative justice: Expanded programming ensures Indigenous individuals have alternatives to mainstream sentencing
• Support for Gladue aftercare: Community-based programs assist individuals in meeting their sentencing conditions and implementing report recommendations
• Legal system reform: Training and structural changes promote justice system accountability and responsiveness to Indigenous needs
• Strength-based reporting: Gladue reports promote fair and culturally informed sentencing
• Judicial system accountability: Education and training for legal professionals help embed Gladue Principles into practice
• Culturally specific sentencing options: Increased funding supports alternatives to conventional punitive sentencing
• Indigenous-led justice programs: Community-based solutions empower Indigenous self-determination in justice processes
• Systemic change in sentencing practices: Enhanced training and education ensure Indigenous perspectives are embedded in judicial decisions

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, including:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.1 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare. In 2024-2025, 48 programs were funded to provided Gladue Aftercare services across the country for Indigenous justice clients impacted by Gladue factors. These funding agreements span 2024-2025-2026-2027. No new agreements were entered into for 2025-2026, as the existing agreements include 2025-2026.
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles for Gladue Systemic Change projects to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies. These funds sunset March 31, 2025, therefore no new funding agreements were entered into in 2025-2026 for Gladue Systemic Change projects.
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports. In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland-Labrador and Manitoba.

As of fiscal year 2024-2025, the ongoing additional funding provided for in 2024 has been allocated to IJP Community-based Justice Fund recipients. This funding enhancement has ensured there are no lapses in justice services provided by IJP funded programs and addresses key gaps in access to Indigenous cultural programs and services that are effective in addressing overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Some examples of IJP community-based justice programs that received program integrity funding include:

• the Tsuu'tina Nation in Alberta who provides Peacemaker services to the Tsuu'tina Peacemaker court on-reserve
• the Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network in Nova Scotia that promotes prevention, provides diversion services referred by provincial courts or Indigenous court workers, communities and provide sentencing circles
• the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society in British Columbia that delivers prevention, alternative measures, support to Vancouver Indigenous court and victim's support

The IJP responds to Call for Justice 5.16 with this Call by supporting programs that facilitate reintegration, diversion, and mediation, ensuring culturally relevant justice services are available at all stages of the legal process.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from reintegration support, reducing recidivism and strengthening community cohesion.

• Prevention and diversion: IJP-funded programs focus on diversion, mediation, and restorative justice, helping prevent violence and conflict before they escalate to formal legal proceedings. Programs support pre-charge, post-charge, and sentencing diversion to reduce Indigenous incarceration rates
• Cultural safety: Programs integrate Indigenous laws, traditions, and values into justice practices
• Victim support: Trauma-informed training ensures justice programs provide culturally appropriate support to victims
• Focus on Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Indigenous communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Family mediation: Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Restorative justice: Programs incorporate traditional justice and healing practices. Programs emphasize restorative justice and reintegration, rather than punitive measures, and help reduce recidivism and promotes community healing
• Focus on Métis women and 2SLGBTQI+ safety: While broadly serving Métis communities, IJP-supported initiatives can contribute to violence prevention efforts for Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people by offering alternatives to incarceration and systemic criminalization
• Métis-specific mediation: Programs facilitate family and community mediation. Conflict resolution services improve access to justice for Indigenous families
• Conflict resolution support: Mediation prevents legal escalation and promotes family unity

In 2024, the Government invested $26.9 million over five years and $5.4 million ongoing for the Indigenous Justice Program. Investments have supported 214 programs serving 650+ communities in funding agreements that span 2024-2025 to 2026-2027.

While no new Gladue Aftercare programs were funded in 2025-2026, the Indigenous Justice Program currently funds 48 programs to deliver Gladue Aftercare services across Canada to provide post-sentence Gladue aftercare to clients who have had a Gladue report in meeting the conditions of their sentence and implementing other recommendations from the report. Programs address Gladue factors and deliver a range of services such as, but not limited to, developing healing plans, navigating services for clients, and working with clients who attend Indigenous-specific courts.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.16 by ensuring that Indigenous individuals have access to culturally specific and community-based sentencing options. By expanding Indigenous-led justice programs, it helps address systemic discrimination and provides meaningful alternatives to incarceration.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this initiative by gaining access to justice approaches that reflect Indigenous values, promote healing, and support reintegration into communities.

• Increased access to restorative justice: Expanded programming ensures Indigenous individuals have alternatives to mainstream sentencing
• Support for Gladue aftercare: Community-based programs assist individuals in meeting their sentencing conditions and implementing report recommendations
• Legal system reform: Training and structural changes promote justice system accountability and responsiveness to Indigenous needs
• Strength-based reporting: Gladue reports promote fair and culturally informed sentencing
• Judicial system accountability: Education and training for legal professionals help embed Gladue Principles into practice
• Culturally specific sentencing options: Increased funding supports alternatives to conventional punitive sentencing
• Indigenous-led justice programs: Community-based solutions empower Indigenous self-determination in justice processes
• Systemic change in sentencing practices: Enhanced training and education ensure Indigenous perspectives are embedded in judicial decisions

The initiative is supported by the Indigenous Justice Program and the Indigenous Courtwork Program, with contributions flowing through cost-share agreements with provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations.

The Government of Canada has committed $49.3 million over five years starting in 2020-2021, with $9.7 million ongoing, to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system and Indigenous-led community responses, as set out below:

• $25.4 million over five years and $6.1 million ongoing through the IJP for community-based post-sentence Gladue aftercare
  • In 2024-2025, 48 programs were funded to provided Gladue Aftercare services across the country for Indigenous justice clients impacted by Gladue factors.
  • These funding agreements span 2024-2025 to 2026-2027
  • No new agreements were entered into for 2025-2026, as the existing agreements include 2025-2026
• $10 million over five years for projects informed by Gladue Principles for Gladue Systemic Change projects to educate justice professionals and reform justice system policies
  • These funds sunset March 31, 2025, therefore no new funding agreements were entered into in 2025-2026 for Gladue Systemic Change projects
• $14 million over five years and $3.5 million ongoing through the ICW for the production and delivery of Gladue reports
  • In 2024-2025 this funding supported cost-sharing agreements with British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the development of Gladue report writing frameworks in Newfoundland-Labrador and Manitoba

The Indigenous Justice Strategy and its three distinctions- based chapters were released on March 10, 2025, setting a vision and priority areas for work going forward by Canada with Indigenous peoples, provinces, and territories.

Over the next two years, Justice Canada will take a phased approach to implementation of the Strategy, utilizing existing justice-focused tripartite tables and processes with Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories. The objective of the work at these tables will be to advance regional priority-setting implementation plans in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, as well as Inuit partners through the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

The Indigenous Justice Strategy responds to part of Call for Justice 5.21 by advancing specific measures to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners, the strategy draws on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Arbour Report, and other key inquiries and reports that have called for systemic reform. It supports actions aimed at eliminating discriminatory practices, expanding alternatives to incarceration, and improving access to culturally grounded justice services. These actions reflect a distinctions-based and gender-informed approach to justice reform that recognizes the unique barriers faced by Indigenous women and girls.

Indigenous families, survivors, and communities affected by the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the criminal justice system will benefit from the Indigenous Justice Strategy through its emphasis on targeted, community-led responses. By addressing the underlying causes of criminalization, including colonialism, racism, poverty, and gender-based violence, the strategy promotes more equitable outcomes and safer, more accessible justice systems. The inclusion of Indigenous women's voices in the design and implementation of the strategy ensures that reforms are responsive to their realities and support long-term change grounded in Indigenous values and priorities.

• Safety and protection:
  • Advances actions that respond to the Final Report's findings that many Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people were not adequately protected within existing justice systems
  • Looks to expand access to culturally grounded and trauma informed supports that promote safety, healing, and meaningful pathways to justice
• Systemic change and overrepresentation:
  • Addresses structural factors identified in the MMIWG Final Report that contribute to the persistent overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system
  • Advances reforms to improve fairness in police and court processes and increase access to community-led alternatives that reduce recidivism
• Indigenous laws and community autonomy:
  • Supports the revitalization and application of Indigenous laws and legal traditions in direct alignment with the MMIWG Final Report's emphasis on Indigenous world views and natural law in justice responses
  • Enables the development of community driven justice initiatives that restore decision making power to Indigenous nations
• Inclusive and survivor informed governance:
  • Ensures that Indigenous, women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ are active contributors in program development, and decision making
  • Underlines that structures must reflect the lived experiences and priorities of those most impacted by violence and systemic barriers
• Long term a ccountability and transparency:
  • Establishes shared priorities and indicators that reflect the MMIWG Final Report's expectation for clear accountability
  • Supports continued engagement with rights holders, survivors, and communities to ensure that progress is monitored, sustained and responsive to evolving needs

The government provided an additional $25.1 million over three years (2024-2025 through to 2026-2027) to support phased implementation.

Funding supported participation at tripartite tables and processes focused on development of regional implementation plans for the IJS, as well as support for Indigenous communities to develop practical approaches to enforce local Indigenous laws.

CSC committed to and continues to ensure all staff working with federally sentenced women, regardless of the staff member's position or level, are trained in Women-Centred Training.

In July 2025, CSC launched the revitalized Women-Centred Training. This training has been revised to better reflect the diverse responsibilities of staff who work with or support federally sentenced women. It is grounded in the five principles outlined in the Creating Choices report. The updated training reflects a more trauma-informed, gender responsive approach, equipping staff to apply women centred practices in their respective roles while supporting the successful reintegration of federally sentenced women. Training of staff will continue into fiscal year 2026-2027 and with all new staff as they are identified.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.22 by integrating and upholding the key principles set out in Creating Choices (1990), and in doing so, working to specifically address the need to reform women's corrections in Canada.

There is no funding attributed to Women-Centred Training. All travel-related costs for WCT were taken from the Correctional Service Canada's regular budget.

The Final Reports and Guidelines developed from the project were released in 2025

• Building on the interim status report released in 2023, a total of 12 final recommendations were developed and released in June of 2025 in the report titled Report and final recommendations: Police-reported Indigenous and racialized identity data through the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.
• On July 16, 2025, following endorsement of the CACP in June 2025, two additional reports were released that detailed the Operational Guidelines, and Analytical Framework for the collection of this data via the UCR.
• In November 2025, the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics (CCJCSS) hosted a webinar exclusively for police personnel (both members and civilian staff) that provided an overview of the initiative to date, the achieved outcomes, and how the initiative plans to move forward to be implemented across police services.
• The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) set up a special purpose committee in 2025 which included experts and senior police leadership from across the country. This special purpose committee consisted of 5 subcommittees: Community Engagement, Legislative Regulatory guidelines, Education and Awareness, Data standards, and data analysis.
• The Training and Engagement subcommittee created a training for all police services. This training is now in development at the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) to become an online training for all police. Statistics Canada is managing the training development with CPKN.

This initiative responds to Call for Justice 5.24, which calls for the collection and publication of data on the criminal involvement of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people to monitor overrepresentation and systemic bias. The expanded UCR Survey allows for the collection of Indigenous identity data from police-reported incidents, filling a longstanding gap in Canadian policing data infrastructure. Indigenous survivors, families, and communities benefit from this work by gaining access to reliable, distinctions-based data that can reveal patterns of criminalization, over-policing, and systemic inequities. These insights will empower communities and advocates to demand change and develop community-informed solutions that reflect lived realities and support safety, dignity, and justice.

• Collection of disaggregated data: Enables detailed and distinctions-based analysis of Indigenous identity in criminal justice contexts, helping reveal patterns of overrepresentation and systemic bias
• Foundational work for legislative and programmatic equity: Supports a whole-of-government approach to improving data equity, with integration into national police data systems and key social and health datasets
• Grounded in community and sector engagement: Ongoing consultation with police services, Indigenous organizations, and academic experts ensures that new data collection processes are ethical, responsive, and informed by those most affected
• Advancing transparency and accountability: Public-facing updates, implementation guides, and the inclusion of identity variables in crime data promote openness and accountability in justice systems
• Enabling systemic change through data: Empowers policymakers, communities, and researchers to better understand and respond to the root causes of inequity in policing and justice
• Pathway to inclusive policy development: Informs the design of policies, programs, and services that reflect the lived experiences and realities of Indigenous peoples and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in Canada

This initiative received $1,688,431 in funding from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 (and $320,857 ongoing) under the Disaggregated Data Action Plan to support the expansion of the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey and related engagement, analysis, and implementation activities. Future investments will be guided by ongoing system-wide coordination efforts and collaboration across policing, data, and justice sectors.

Funding provided in 2025-2026 by the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, supported Indigenous -led data projects designed to develop distinctions-based or identity-specific indicators or methodologies to increase knowledge around missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and around safety for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. In 2025-2026, the funding was fully allocated to support ongoing multi-year projects that were approved in 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 under calls for proposals processes. The initiatives that were funded focused on laying the groundwork for improved methodologies and new approaches to produce better data around safety that are inclusive of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives. We look forward to results once these multi-year projects conclude.

This initiative responds to the need for urgent action that is based on a recognition of distinctions and identity-based concerns with existing data held by governments as well as other statistical institutions, and by concerns with research about Indigenous people conducted by non-Indigenous institutions and researchers.

In 2025-2026 highlights included:

• $116,920 was allocated to Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada's Inuit Count:An Inuit-Specific, Gender-Based Approach to Improving Data and Addressing Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to develop a data strategy, through a gendered-lens that is based on promising practices, early intervention, prevention, and healing and wellness supports and programs. This project is also helping improve data methodologies that are specific to missing and murdered Inuit women, girls, and LGBTQI+ Inuit, including initiatives that: develop qualitative distinctions or identity-based indicators; address existing methodological gaps for Inuit women, girls and gender diverse Inuit who are overwhelmingly underserviced or underrepresented in data; and define safety through Inuit ways of understanding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles.
• $50,000 was allocated to Manitoba Inuit Association's Manitoba Inuit Association Data Sovereignty to empower Manitoba Inuit in addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people by facilitating the development of Inuit-centered tools and methodologies that support innovative and impactful Inuit-led research and data. The investment is in a multi-year data management strategic plan that is sustainable and looks toward community, organizational and partner/stakeholder engagements to assist in understanding data gaps and develop Inuit-centered data collection tools and methodologies.
• $50,000 was allocated to Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak's Engaging with Governmental Data Holders to Extract Data and Promote Culturally Competent Research on Missing and Murdered Métis Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ Métis to engage with public safety, policing, and correctional authorities, as well as key federal departments working with data obtained from these authorities, in order to extract existing Métis-specific data on MMIWG currently not in the possession or at the disposal of the Women of the Métis Nation. The project also seeks to share understandings between Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak and current governmental data holders on how to expand their cultural competency in collecting, recording and sharing data on MMIWG using distinctions-based, gender-disaggregated, intersectional methodologies and indicators.
• $175,000 was allocated to the 2SLGBTQI+ Committee on MMIWG's Gathering Our Stories: Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ Data and Research Initiatives to contribute to changing the way information about Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and communities is gathered, analyzed, and shared, by developing innovative Indigenous community-driven approaches, strategies and resources. The project aims to reclaim and regenerate Indigenous knowledge about 2SLGTBQI+ people, as well as knowledge exchange processes; generate promising practices for engaging Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people regarding data collection; and establish protocols for data governance and sovereignty related to Indigenous 2SLGTBQI+ people.

This initiative, the Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program, responds to Call for Justice 5.24 by contributing to improving data collection and intake-screening processes to gather distinctions-based and intersectional data about Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. By ensuring that Indigenous-led organizations define data methodologies, the initiative ensures that a range of Indigenous perspectives shape the understanding of safety, well-being, and systemic barriers. Indigenous families, survivors, and communities benefit from this program as it strengthens their ability to advocate for policy change based on meaningful Indigenous-led, community-specific and culturally relevant data.

• Improved data accuracy: Indigenous-led knowledge systems and methodologies ensure data accurately reflects values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Informed policy and advocacy: Reliable, distinctions-based Indigenous-led intersectional data strengthens evidence-based advocacy and ensures that Indigenous data voices drive future policies and advocacy efforts
• Greater inclusion of underserved groups: Focus on identity-based indicators enhances representation of many Indigenous groups, particularly 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, urban Indigenous populations, and those experiencing intergenerational trauma, who have historically been left out of data collection efforts
• Enhanced data collection methods and improved data and data accuracy: Funding supports the improvement of collection processes of disaggregated, Inuit-specific data to address historical data gaps, as well as the improvement of existing Inuit-led knowledge systems and methodologies to accurately reflect values, laws, worldviews and lived experiences
• Increased self-determination in research: Funding Inuit organizations to improve and guide existing Inuit-specific data methodologies and interpretation, and strengthens Inuit sovereignty in data governance
• Processes of collecting disaggregated data on violence against Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People: Ensures that Métis-specific data is collected and analyzed separately, addressing long-standing gaps in statistics on violence, socio-economic disparities, and systemic barriers, and allows for Métis worldviews and lived experiences to define how violence is understood and measured in their communities
• Supporting Métis-led research and data collection: Prioritizes Métis governance and leadership in existing data collection processes, ensuring that Métis cultural perspectives shape how violence, harm, and safety are understood
• Highlighting Métis barriers to safety and access to rights: Funds innovative approaches to improving data methodologies to collect and examine these barriers, such as: access to culturally appropriate victim services, and supports policy reform efforts that push for better service delivery and funding allocations for Métis communities
• Enhanced visibility for Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ people: Funds projects that improve existing data intake and research frameworks to capture Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary identities accurately, and ensure data collection respects and reflects Indigenous gender identities and worldviews, and helps 2SLGBTQI+ people become visible in statistics and policy discussions

Funding in the amount of $9.4 million over six years (2021-2027) was invested to support Indigenous-led research initiatives.

A total of just over $1.5 million was approved for fiscal year 2025-2026 to continue 13 existing multi-year projects.