Senator Mary Jane McCallum Advances Bill to Strengthen First Nations Public Safety Through Bylaw Enforcement

OTTAWA — A significant legislative step toward enhancing safety in First Nations communities is gaining momentum in Canada's Senate. Bill S-223, a private members’ bill introduced by Senator Mary Jane McCallum, aims to formally require the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to enforce First Nations bylaws, addressing long-standing gaps in community policing. Senator McCallum, a member of the Munsee-Delaware Nation in Ontario, told APTN News that her advocacy stems from her previous experience working as a dentist in northern regions, where she witnessed a decline in community security. The bill, which was introduced in 2025, has successfully passed its second reading in the Senate and is currently under review by the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs. If enacted, the legislation would clarify the statutory obligations of the RCMP. Michael Anderson, a policing advisor for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, noted that while the RCMP currently enforces Criminal Code offences on reserves, they have often avoided bylaw enforcement since 2014. Anderson argued that because Indian Act bylaws are federal regulations, the RCMP already holds a legal duty to enforce them as part of the laws of Canada. The push for legislative clarity coincides with successful grassroots efforts. Teresa Greasley, a member of the Wahta Mohawks, recently successfully engaged the Ontario Provincial Police to enforce a trespassing bylaw on her land. Greasley attributed the outcome to a combination of persistent advocacy and the influence of Bill S-223. She emphasized the need for a streamlined system where legally vetted First Nations bylaws are integrated into the broader justice system, ensuring prosecutors and judges are fully informed. While the bill must still navigate a third reading in the Senate and subsequent study in the House of Commons, supporters view it as a vital move toward establishing equal access to the rule of law for Indigenous nations.