Canada’s top court sides with First Nation in police funding dispute with Quebec

The Supreme Court of Canada has made a landmark decision regarding the funding of a First Nations police force in Quebec. The court has ruled that Quebec acted dishonourably by refusing to negotiate the funding terms for the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation’s police force, and must now provide more money to make up for years of underfunding.

The Quebec Court of Appeal had previously ruled that both the provincial and federal governments owed nearly $1.6 million to the First Nation in Mashteuiatsh, Quebec. The federal government agreed to pay its share of the money, but Quebec appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.

In a decisive 8-1 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court’s decision and found that Quebec had violated the principle of good faith and failed to uphold the honour of the Crown. The court noted that Quebec had repeatedly refused to renegotiate funding for the police force, despite knowing that it was underfunded.

As a result of the ruling, Quebec must now pay $767,745 to the First Nation to cover its portion of accumulated deficits from 2013 to 2017. This decision serves as a reminder of the importance of honouring agreements with Indigenous communities and upholding the principles of good faith and fairness.

This ruling is a significant victory for the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation and sets a precedent for future negotiations between governments and Indigenous communities. It highlights the need for all parties to work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to ensure that Indigenous peoples receive the support and resources they are entitled to.

Moving forward, it is crucial that Quebec and other governments uphold their obligations to Indigenous communities and work towards building positive and collaborative relationships. By honouring agreements and providing adequate funding, we can work towards reconciliation and create a more just and equitable society for all.