National Police Federation’s 2025 Federal Budget Recommendations

The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada by increasing resources, equipment, training, and other supports for our Members and have provided three actionable recommendations to the Federal Government.

Recommendation 1: Invest $24 million annually to increase the RCMP cadet training allowance to $1,200 per week to align with other police services.

Recruits attending police training, in most provincial and municipal services, are salaried employees from day one of training, making those police services more attractive. RCMP cadets are not employees until after they have completed their 26-week training. During training, cadets only receive an allowance of $525 per week. This amount has not changed for over 15 years. This allowance does not consider the needs of RCMP cadets who may be beholden to financial responsibilities (supporting family, mortgages, student loans). To remain competitive, the RCMP must appropriately compensate cadets while they attend training.  

Recommendation 2: Invest $300 million over four years to hire 1,000 RCMP officers and bolster Federal Policing Program resources. 

The RCMP’s Federal Policing Program is essential to Canada’s national security, tackling complex threats such as organized crime, cybercrime, and human trafficking. To maintain national safety and effectively respond to criminal activity, the Federal Policing Program needs distinct, fenced funding, and a commitment to increased human resources.

This funding will support the hiring of 1,000 additional Regular Members and the enhancement of modern policing resources.

Despite increasing demands and a significant overall budget, Federal Policing remains underfunded. Targeted investments are crucial for ensuring the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program can meet its mandate and protect Canadians.   

*350 RMs could be allocated each year using a set mix from graduated new officers from Depot and Experienced Police Officers. This chart allocated a set amount of 250 new graduates from Depot and 100 EPOs. 

**On average the RCMP has a hard vacancy rate of 2%. A hard vacancy is permanent and can be backfilled (e.g., a Member being transferred out, retiring, or resigning). 

Recommendation 3: $1 billion among governments, public and private partners, for the creation of a Canadian Public Safety Broadband Network. 

Canada needs a dedicated Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) to ensure secure, real-time communication for first responders during emergencies. Despite over a decade of discussion between all governments, such a network doesn’t yet exist. The Federal Government needs to coordinate a $1 billion investment with all levels of government and public and private partners to establish a nationwide PSBN, leveraging existing infrastructure and ensuring financial sustainability. 

This network will provide first responders with exclusive access to wireless data, improving situational awareness and communication. With the increasing severity of natural disasters and multi-jurisdictional responses (Moncton and Parliament Hill shootings, Mass Casualty event), the PSBN is essential for Canada’s public safety.  

About the National Police Federation

The National Police Federation (NPF) is the sole certified bargaining agent representing ~20,000 Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) across Canada and internationally. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP Members.

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