Funding to bolster First Nations policing programs in Manitoba

Hi, how are you? Sir? Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, shakes hands outside Manitoba First Nation Police Headquarters moments before making a funding announcement that includes a dedicated training academy for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service and expansion of the Manitoba First Nations Safety Officer Program. We have invested heavily in First Nations policing in the last, say, three years, and we're continuing to do that. The partnership that we have announced today is a perfect example of that. There are a dozen First Nation communities in the province that have their own police service. The goal is to have at least 50 more in just two years. Welcome news for David Meeches, Chief of Long Plain First Nation. We're starting to experience that in terms of drug use and selling of drugs in our community. And so we need to combat from the community level. And we're never going to eliminate it. but if we can reduce it, that's a significant improvement. Manitoba's share of the funding to strengthen the Manitoba First Nations Police Service is $58 million, roughly half of Ottawa's. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says it's an investment in public safety. Every single one of the communities that I've worked with has the same goals, and that is public safety, community safety, but also making a difference when it comes to issues around the toxic drug crisis, organized crime. Fisher River Cree Nation and the Gambler First Nation will also see their police services expanded. Michelle McDougall, CBC News, Brandon.