Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women to be Launched Immediately

However, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper refused to authorize an inquiry.

The federal ministers of Justice, Indigenous Affairs and Status of Women made the announcement in the foyer of the House of Commons early this afternoon. “What’s needed is nothing less than a total renewal between Canada and First Nations people”.

The Liberals of prime minister Justin Trudeau took office after defeating the Conservatives, who took the decision to send the jets and trainers to the Middle East.

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.

Calls for a national inquiry have been growing since a 2014 RCMP review found that 1,181 indigenous women had been murdered or gone missing since 1980 – 164 missing and 1,017 homicide victims. Supporting a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women was one of our campaign commitments.

Ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould, Dr. Carolyn Bennett and Patty Hajdu today announced the first phase of a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women, which includes meeting with families, national Aboriginal organizations (including AFN), provinces and territories and interested parties and experts. Aboriginal women are statistically almost three times more likely to be killed by a stranger than non-Aboriginal women.

Perry Bellegarde, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, told the gathering he’s confident that Trudeau is listening to the different needs of First Nations.

She says the level of violence that aboriginal women face in this country is far worse than we could imagine, but she is hopeful.

He said those touched by the tragedy of murdered and missing aboriginal women have waited long enough.“The victims deserve justice, their families an opportunity to heal and to be heard, ” he said during a speech Tuesday.

The public inquiry will be “top priority” of the Liberal government, the newly elected leader said. “We’re going to do something more efficient for the coalition”, he said. We commend the Liberal government, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Bennett for holding true to their promise to address this Canada-wide issue.

“We will lift the two per cent cap on funding for First Nations programs”. Some 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis children were taken from their families and forced to attend government schools over much of the last century.

The prime minister has vowed to move on implementing recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the pledge to look into the question of missing and murdered aboriginal women. We know this approach is wrong, and we know it doesn’t work.