Inquiry into missing and murdered women indigenous women is a priority: Trudeau

This includes identifying and addressing the root social, political and economic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and respecting the rights of all Indigenous peoples.

Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day said, “The way forward is through the involvement of First Nations peoples of Canada in the inquiry”.

According to reports by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, aboriginal women represent 4.3 percent of the total female population, but 16 percent of all female murder cases are from the country’s indigenous population.

Wilson-Raybould said: “The unanswered calls for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada end today”.

“We have made this inquiry a priority for our government because those touched by this national tragedy have waited long enough”, Trudeau said. We commend the Liberal government, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Bennett for holding true to their promise to address this Canada-wide issue.

Trudeau spoke to the chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations in Gatineau, Quebec today. However, some feel the government dropped the bill when it was opposed by the AFN, which complained that First Nations had not been appropriately consulted.

Ganley said a gauge of provincial attitudes, as well as consultation with First Nations and Métis to determine what areas need the most focus, will help improve the lives of women.

“The issue of violence against women – we have the second highest number of missing and murdered indigenous women and so for the province to come together and work together collaboratively with agencies … we’re looking at some very concrete solutions”.

“The victims deserve justice”.

Trudeau reiterated his pledge to implement all 94 recommendations flowing from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “After years of denial and deflection, it is my hope we can make real strides in achieving justice for families and achieving safety and security for all our people”. The views and ideas expressed by all participants will allow the government to develop the inquiry, including the mandate, the terms of reference, the format of the Inquiry, and the timeline. If those laws do not meet those tests, said Mr. Trudeau, “we will rescind them”.

The decision by Trudeau, a Liberal, marked another policy reversal from his predecessor Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.

The federal government announced as part of its first budget it will eliminate a two per cent cap on annual funding increases for First Nations programs that has been in place for nearly two decades.

He said the government will work with First Nations to “review and monitor” major resources development projects and to promote Indigenous languages and cultures. The ministries and Indigenous partners are developing Ontario’s long-term strategy to end violence against Indigenous women and provide support to their families.