Historic 10-year funding agreement to transform policing in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory

Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service on Manitoulin Island have entered a $112 million agreement to transform community policing.

The Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) has secured a landmark 10-year funding agreement with the federal and provincial governments, marking a transformative step for community policing and public safety in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

The $112 million investment, announced Thursday, was formalized in partnership with Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Solicitor General of Ontario. The agreement, signed Feb. 13, provides long-term financial stability for the WTPS, enabling strategic planning and significant enhancements to police services.

“This agreement is a paradigm shift for public safety in our community,” said WTPS Chief Ron Gignac, in a social media post.

“For the first time, it allows us to plan both long-term and strategically while investing in resources that will make a tangible difference in public safety.”

The funding will allow the WTPS to expand its workforce, increasing uniformed and civilian personnel from 40 to 72 positions and creating more jobs for residents of the Wiikwemkoong. It will also support the modernization of the force’s facilities – including the expansion of existing infrastructure and the planning of a new police station.

Key initiatives under the agreement include the implementation of the 2025 Policing Strategic Plan, which identifies community needs to guide operations and infrastructure development, and the ongoing execution of the 2024 Drug Strategy to address drug-related issues. Additionally, the WTPS will refine its service delivery model to ensure budget allocations and staffing align with calls for service.

Ogimaa Tim Ominika of Wiikwemkoong emphasized the significance of the funding in addressing long-standing challenges.

“Historically, Wiikwemkoong has faced significant challenges with high crime rates,” he said. “This funding agreement provides us with the resources and stability needed to implement effective strategies for lasting change. Community safety doesn’t just happen; it is the result of collective consensus and public investment.”

First Nation police services in Canada have historically been funded as programs rather than essential services, often relying on short-term agreements lasting one or two years. This has led to chronic underfunding and limited capacity to address community safety needs. The 10-year commitment represents an unprecedented shift, offering the WTPS the opportunity to proactively tackle public safety issues.

WTPS Board President Joseph Wabegijig expressed gratitude to government partners for their support.

“Our government partners have been instrumental in finalizing this agreement,” he said.

“We thank them for their long-term investment and look forward to further supporting our community with enhanced capabilities.”

Officials have widely praised the agreement as a critical step toward improving public safety and fostering trust between the police service and the community. By prioritizing long-term planning and resource allocation, the WTPS aims to create a safer environment for residents, particularly for children and vulnerable populations.

“We owe our children and the most vulnerable citizens in our community a life free of violence and fear,” Ogimaa Ominika said.

The funding agreement underscores a growing recognition of the need for stable, equitable support for Indigenous policing services across Canada, said WTPS, and for the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, it represents a new chapter in community safety and a commitment to building a brighter future for generations to come.