Committee members believe this is an area in which the department needs to concentrate more resources. The information on First Nations policing in the business plans and the main estimates was poorly presented. Members could not clearly establish linkages between the various pots of funding available to this activity. Members appreciated the explanations provided by the department and look forward to a better presentation of the information in the next business planning cycle, including a breakdown by community, as to where the funding was expended.

The discussions with the Minister and his officials left the impression that some funding from the federal Solicitor General was not available last fiscal year due to the inability of the two departments to come to a funding agreement. It is understood that negotiations are going better this year. The Standing Committee on Social Programs looks forward to being informed of the successful conclusion of a funding agreement with the Solicitor General.