Hon. Brian Francis: Senator Gold, the Assembly of First Nations passed a consensus resolution this week calling for a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing, emphasizing that despite 20 inquiries into policing and justice systems since 1989, the federal government has failed to take meaningful action to address systemic racism within the RCMP and other agencies. The resolution also calls for the creation of a national crisis intervention team, the demilitarization of police forces and other critical reforms.

Senator Gold, will the federal government commit to acting on this resolution, including by launching a comprehensive and independent national inquiry as soon as possible?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and recommendation, which I will certainly raise with the minister. No matter where anyone lives in whichever community, everyone in Canada deserves well-funded, culturally sensitive and respecting police services. While the government has made important progress, including further stabilizing police services, expanding to communities like Siksika Nation and signing a framework agreement with Nunavut last year, the government knows much more needs to be done. The government is working to improve and expand First Nations policing by co-developing legislation that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service and amending the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program based on the recommendations of the Auditor General.

The government will continue to work with First Nations and Inuit partners to make these long-standing commitments a true reality.

Senator Francis: Senator Gold, in 2022, the RCMP had some of the lowest participation rates in Indigenous cultural awareness programs and Indigenous-sensitive programs along all federal government departments and agencies, especially among uniformed officers. Could a lack of education be contributing to the systemic racism and the tragic deaths of First Nations individuals? Will the government make such education mandatory across the RCMP?

Senator Gold: One hopes that education will address deep-rooted attitudes that are at the heart of systemic racism, which we can identify and has been identified and acknowledged in many areas. I’m not in a position to make a commitment vis-à-vis the training, but I’ll bring that to the attention of the minister as a helpful suggestion.