YELLOWKNIFE (March 29, 2012) -- The Northwest Territories has reached a final agreement with the federal government for the renewal of the Territorial Police Services Agreement.

The current agreement expires on March 31. The new agreement has a 20-year term and features historic changes to management and financial transparency provisions. The agreement also continues to support local detachments working with communities to ensure an effective police force reflecting the diversity and needs of the people they serve.

“Through this new agreement, communities and people of the Northwest Territories will be better served,” said Glen Abernethy, Minister of Justice.  “It maintains effective policing services while using resources as effectively as possible. We look forward to working in close partnership with the RCMP for the next 20 years.”

With the formation of a new contract management committee, the Government of the Northwest Territories, together with other provinces and territories, will have influence over cost and service decisions in an ongoing and co-ordinated way throughout the life of the new contract.

“Today is a significant milestone for RCMP Contract Policing,” said Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety minister.  “I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have reached an agreement that will continue the relationship between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the people of the NWT for the next two decades.”

The agreement will support continued progress in enhancing public confidence in police and marks a higher standard of accountability to the Northwest Territories. This new relationship is one of the important steps in creating more transparency and accountability for the RCMP as the Territorial Police Service.

For more information:

Sue Glowach
Senior Communications Advisor
GNWT, Department of Justice
867-920-3130
sue_glowach@gov.nt.ca