Supreme Court Rules Quebec Violated Indigenous Policing Agreements

The court's decision underscores the importance of fair negotiations in funding essential services for First Nations communities.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 8-1 that Quebec failed to negotiate in good faith with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation over police funding.
The ruling requires Quebec to pay $767,745 in accumulated deficits from 2013 to 2017, following years of underfunding the First Nation's police force.
The court emphasized that Indigenous policing agreements are tied to reconciliation and self-governance, not standard contractual obligations.
The decision sets a significant precedent, potentially influencing future cases involving funding for Indigenous services such as education and healthcare.
Indigenous leaders and legal experts have called the ruling groundbreaking, urging governments to change their approach to negotiations with First Nations communities.