We call upon federal, provincial, and territorial governments to commit to eliminating the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in custody over the next decade, and to issue detailed annual reports that monitor and evaluate progress in doing so.
Why “Stalled”?
There is no national strategy to monitor and report on progress in eliminating the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody. Incarceration rates for Indigenous people – who only comprise 5% of the Canadian population – continue to rise. In fact, since April 2010 the Indigenous inmate population has increased by 18.1% whereas the non-Indigenous incarcerated population has declined over the same period by 28.3%. The numbers are even more troubling for Indigenous women, who now account for almost 50% of the women inmate population in Canada. (Correctional Investigator Report Dec. 17, 2021) – up from 42% in the Office of Correctional Services 2018 – 2019 Annual Report.
In his January 2020 comments Dr. Zinger concluded: “It is not acceptable that Indigenous people in this country experience incarceration rates that are six to seven times higher than the national average. The Correctional Investigator drew attention to the fact that federal corrections seems impervious to change and unresponsive to the needs, histories and social realities behind high rates of Indigenous offending. (Toronto Star).
Most Aboriginal inmates self-identify as First Nations (68%), followed by Métis (26.5%) and Inuit (5.5%).
Capacity Building Fund of Aboriginal Justice Program is no longer accepting applications despite significant success of the program in reducing recidivism. Government also acknowledges impacts of systemic issues outside of justice system that also need to be addressed.
Multiple initiatives at both the federal and provincial/territory levels.
Significant deletions from official federal Government website “Delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action”:
- Deleted “under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories” and replaced with “in coordination with provinces and territories”
- Deleted “we are also collaborating with Statistics Canada” to measure Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system
Current Status
April 4, 2022
Stalled
Previous Status
February 14, 2022
Stalled
Latest Updates
Site last updated on February 10, 2022
Annual Reports of the Correctional Investigator
Annual Report 2020-2021
Recommendations: I recommend that the Minister of Public Safety engage the Public Health Agency of Canada to conduct an independent epidemiological study of the differential……
February 10, 2022
Annual Reports of the Correctional Investigator
BC First Nations Justice Strategy
Dept. of Justice, Canada – Announcement of the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) between BC, Canada and BC First Nations Justice Council……
January 20, 2022
Growth in Incarceration rates
Growth in Indigenous Incarceration Rates
Growth in Incarceration rates
The Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre
Government of BC – The Virtual Indigenous Justice Centre (VIJC) is a partnership between the Province and the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC). The……
October 5, 2021
Growth in Incarceration rates
Indigenous Human Rights Strategy
The Commission’s Indigenous Human Rights Strategy (Strategy) will guide the Commission’s practices and initiatives to reduce barriers Indigenous peoples face when seeking to enforce their human rights……
June 21, 2021
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Indigenous Elders Advisory Council
The Manitoba government has established an Indigenous Elders Advisory Council to provide guidance in addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system,……
June 18, 2021
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Viens Commission response: investments in Aboriginal and urban community justice programs
Announced measures to support justice in Aboriginal and urban communities. In response to the Viens Commission’s recommendations, the Québec government wishes to further develop Aboriginal community……
June 7, 2021
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Investments in Restorative Justice
Investments in restorative justice initiatives for First Nations and Métis communities…
April 8, 2021
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Investments Interpreter and other services in Indigenous languages
As part of the government’s response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and the Report on Racism, $5.5M funding for the improvement and deployment……
March 5, 2021
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Custody Rating Scale Class Action Lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit filed in federal court challenges the Custody Rating Scale over systemic bias in its security classifications. “CSC’s ongoing use of [the Custody Rating……
January 12, 2021