On July 16, 2015, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) won an arbitral award for its members; officers who are employed by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS).
The arbitral award, which substantially increases the pay of officers, who unfortunately are still funded less than their OPP counterparts, will narrow this discriminatory gap.
“Our officers are trained and authorized to enforce the law like any other policing body in Ontario. Some have worked for the OPP and RCMP, and yet First Nations Police officers are paid substantially less, that’s not fair” says Jayson Storkson, Local President.
PSAC recognizes that despite this award, First Nations officers have a long way to go in addressing the inadequate working conditions they face every day due to chronic federal government underfunding.
“Despite the recognition and commendations this police service has received, the federal government continues its discriminatory underfunding of First Nations policing”, states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President. “During this upcoming federal election PSAC will be supporting candidates who are committed to rectifying this injustice by increasing funding to First Nations police forces.”
NAPS officers provide culturally sensitive policing services in 35 communities from Thunder Bay to Hudson’s Bay, and into Manitoba and Quebec. NAPS is the largest First Nations police service in Canada and the second largest in North America.
For more information please contact Lino Vieira (vieiral@psac.com) 416-577-0238