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
March 1, 2023
Stalled
Previous Status
December 31, 2022
Stalled
Latest Updates
Site last updated on March 14, 2023
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Improving access to legal supports and services for Indigenous families in Montreal
NationTalk: Department of Justice Canada Access to justice is a fundamental Canadian value and an integral part of a fair and just society based on……
March 14, 2023
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Collaboration With FSIN Enhances Police Oversight
NationTalk: The Government of Saskatchewan is continuing its support of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations’ (FSIN) Special Investigation Unit (SIU) with an operating grant……
March 8, 2023
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Ottawa laying groundwork for Indigenous justice systems, says Lametti
Indigenous people make up 32 per cent of federal prison population Justice Minister of and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti and Cassidy Caron, president……
January 13, 2023
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
B.C. top court broadens sentencing law aimed at reducing Indigenous incarceration rates
British Columbia’s top court has broadened the sweep of a sentencing law meant to reduce incarceration rates among Indigenous peoples, ruling that Indigenous-specific sentencing can……
January 4, 2023
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Addressing the overrepresentation of Red River Métis people in the justice system in Manitoba
Department fo Justice: Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis Advancing reconciliation requires supporting culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led and community-based justice services,……
October 11, 2022
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Indigenous-Led Program To Help Women Transition Back Into Their Community
NationTalk: Today, the ministries of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, Justice and Attorney General, and Health announced their partnership with the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC)……
October 7, 2022
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Alberta Provincial Court releases Indigenous Justice Strategy
The Indigenous Justice Strategy aims to ensure Alberta judges and staff have a clear understanding of Indigenous history, heritage and laws, as well as establishing……
September 28, 2022
Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation
Govt. of BC funds pilot program to address structural factors contributing to Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice system
NationTalk: tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Syilx Territory, BC: Recommendations from an independent investigation into ‘repeat offenders’ were announced today by the Province of BC. Among these was……
September 23, 2022
Annual Reports of the Correctional Investigator
2022 Auditor-General report finds systemic barriers still exist in Correctional Services
Auditor-General Canada: A report from Auditor General, Karen Hogan, tabled today in the House of Commons, concludes that Correctional Service Canada has not adjusted its programs……
May 31, 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