Liberal MPs today repeated their call for an independent public investigation into the disproportionately high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls, to be developed in consultation with victims and their families, Aboriginal communities and organizations, advocacy groups, and police forces.
“The 582 Aboriginal women and girls who have gone missing or been found murdered in Canada are the victims of racialized, sexualized violence,” said Todd Russell, Liberal Critic for Aboriginal Affairs.
“Only a public inquiry that examines the response of the justice system to these cases, as well the root causes of violence against Aboriginal women, can determine why this is happening and why so many cases remain unsolved.”
The Liberal Party first made its call for an inquiry in May 2009 in the House of Commons, as well in written correspondence to the Minister of Justice. However, despite Budget 2010′s commitment of $10-million over two years to address the high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, the call for a public investigation continues to be ignored.
“The government’s long-delayed announcement of additional funding, largely to improve the investigation of missing persons, is a tepid first step that sidesteps the fundamental question of why the rate of missing and murdered Aboriginal women is so high, and which fails to adequately support victims and families,” added Anita Neville, Liberal Critic for the Status of Women.
“Aboriginal women deserve no less attention and protection from our justice system than all other women in Canada, and that is why Liberals are demanding an independent public investigation.”
It is estimated that if the rate of missing and murdered Aboriginal women was extended to all Canadian women, it would be equivalent to approximately 19,400 missing and murdered women.
