Community Safety

There is a wide geographical range of Métis communities from urban centres to rural settlements, and their needs may differ between communities. Approximately two-thirds of self-identified Métis individuals live in urban centres, including the large majority of those involved in the criminal justice system.  The geographical variance of Métis populations also means that policing services are rendered by a mixture of municipal, provincial, and federal organizations with widely varying levels of Métis-specific knowledge and capacity to be responsive to Métis issues. Effective justice and policing policy must therefore recognize that many among Métis populations are disconnected from the rights and resources available to them and from support systems in their communities and governing bodies. 

For effective justice and policing, a community-centred approach is key and there is currently a single Métis-specific program to provide this. The RCMP Métis Liaison program funds five officers from BC to Ontario. But, developments are necessary to ensure the Métis Nation has appropriate access to justice and are connected to the rights and resources available to them. Developments should and will be in accordance with The UN Declaration act and steps are expected in the near future. The MNC and its Governing Members have advocated for co-development and the addressing of policing and community safety from multiple levels such as corrections, supervision and accountability. The MNC hopes to continue to play an active role to advocate for the needs of the Métis Nation in relation to policing and community safety.