Building relationships in collaboration grants
Last updated on April 7, 2025Applications closed
We are no longer accepting applications for this funding opportunity.
Submissions have been reviewed by the Ministries of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Health and a committee with Indigenous representation. Successful applicants have been notified. Grants will be provided by May 2025.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact decrim@gov.bc.ca.
Indigenous-led connections with police
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General provided funding for Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and organizations to share knowledge and support learning journeys with law enforcement regarding substance use, harm reduction, and decriminalization. The grant funding was intended to support a variety of initiatives that may help build relationships in ways that are distinctive and responsive to the unique needs of each community or population. These initiatives are entirely Indigenous led.
Background
B.C. has been granted a three-year exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize select drugs as one part of the Province's public health response to the overdose crisis. This means that adults in B.C. are not subject to criminal charges for the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs in specific locations. More information about decriminalization can be found on the Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. webpage.
To support law enforcement readiness, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG) and the Ministry of Health worked with police leaders and other partners to develop police training on decriminalization.
Training initiatives on the original exemption were implemented on a provincial scale and related training materials are now being updated. These grants allow Indigenous partners to lead initiatives that will help police agencies to implement decriminalization in ways that are culturally safe and specific to the communities they serve.