The inquiry comes after consistent pressure on the government to look into the almost 1,200 RCMP documented cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls between 1980 and 2012.
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Opposition Conservatives used Justin Trudeau’s first question period as prime minister to hammer his plan to withdraw CF-18 jetfighters from the bombing campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
“Working together as partners, I am confident that we can make meaningful and immediate progress on the issues that matter most to First Nations communities”.
Today Prime Minister Trudeau addressed the Assembly of First Nations Chief’s Conference in Ottawa. Despite numerous calls to conduct a national inquiry into the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, including from the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People, Harper repeatedly refused to do so, saying it was not a priority for Canada.
“It is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples: one that is based on the understanding that the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of First Nations are a sacred obligation that we carry forward”.
The prime minister has also vowed to move on implementing all 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which explored the dark legacy of Canada’s residential school system.
“It’s a new relationship between the prime minister of Canada and his cabinet with Indigenous Peoples”.
Canada’s relations with indigenous people suffered dramatically under Harper’s 12-year Conservative government. Some of key questions include what the mandate will be and how many commissioners will be in charge of the inquiry, which is expected to last up to two years and cost $40 million.
“The victims deserve justice, their families an opportunity to heal and to be heard”, he said during a speech Tuesday.
“We are pleased that the federal government is moving quickly to take first steps on this important initiative”.
Premier Christy Clark says she’s already offered B.C.’s help.
He also promised to lift the controversial two-per-cent funding cap for First Nations programs in his first budget.
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.
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About The Author The Chiefs of Ontario is a political forum and a secretariat for collective decision making, action, and advocacy for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, Canada.
