Manitoba RCMP raise concerns about gun violence, organized crime on Treaty 1 territory

Policing the difficult-to-access communities in Treaty 1 territory is a continual challenge for the RCMP

Gun violence and organized crime are on the rise in Treaty 1 territory — a vast and remote region that spans northern and eastern Manitoba — and the RCMP is struggling to keep up. Since 2019, there have been 13 homicides with firearms in the territory. That’s more than double the number of homicides with firearms in the previous five years combined.

This spike in gun violence is alarming for a number of reasons. First, Treaty 1 territory is home to a large Indigenous population. Indigenous people are disproportionately affected by gun violence, and they are more likely to be victims of homicides with firearms than non-Indigenous people. Second, many of the communities in Treaty 1 territory are remote and difficult to access. This makes it difficult for the RCMP to provide timely policing services.

The RCMP is taking a number of steps to address gun violence and organized crime in Treaty 1 territory

The RCMP is working with other law enforcement agencies to target organized crime groups that are involved in the trafficking of guns and drugs. The RCMP is also working with community leaders to develop crime prevention programs and to provide support for victims of gun violence.

However, the RCMP says that it needs more resources to effectively police Treaty 1 territory. The region is vast and the communities are spread out. The RCMP says that it needs more officers and more equipment to properly police the territory.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has called on the federal government to provide more funding for the RCMP in Treaty 1 territory

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is calling on the federal government to provide more funding for the RCMP in Treaty 1 territory. The Assembly says that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Canadians are safe, and that includes Indigenous people living in remote and isolated communities.

“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Canadians are safe, and that includes Indigenous people living in remote and isolated communities,” said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas.

The federal government has not yet announced whether it will provide more funding for the RCMP in Treaty 1 territory. However, the government has said that it is committed to working with the RCMP to address gun violence and organized crime in the region.