October 29, 2010
Government of Canada Takes Concrete Action Regarding Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women
From left to right, Vancouver Police Chief Constable Jim Chu, Senator Patrick Brazeau (Quebec), Minister Rona Ambrose (speaking at podium), Chief Superintendent Craig Callens of RCMP ‘E’ Division, David Woodland of the Salvation Army and Elizabeth Bastien of the Native Women’s Association of Canada at the announcement to support missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Vancouver.
Vancouver, BC - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced concrete steps the Government of Canada is taking to address the disturbingly high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and to make our communities safer.
“The disturbing issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women is one of serious concern and, as Canadians, we know Aboriginal women deserve respect, dignity and the right to feel safe,” said Minister Ambrose. “Our plan will provide new tools for law enforcement, and improve the justice system and victims' services.”
The Government of Canada will invest $10 million over two years to improve community safety and to ensure that the justice system and law enforcement agencies can better respond to cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
The measures will improve law enforcement and the justice system through:
A new National Police Support Centre for Missing Persons to help police forces across Canada by providing coordination and specialized support in missing persons investigations;
- A national “tip” Web site for missing persons;
- Enhancing the Canadian Police Information Centre database to capture additional missing persons data;
- Amendments to the Criminal Code to streamline the warrants application process where wiretaps are required in missing person cases; and
- A comprehensive list of best practices to help communities, law enforcement and justice partners in future work.
- Federal funding for culturally appropriate victims services through provinces and territories; as well as funding for Aboriginal groups to help the families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women;
- New awareness materials, pilot projects and new school- and community-based pilot projects targeted to young Aboriginal women; and
- New community safety plans to be developed to enhance the safety of women living in Aboriginal communities.
The Government of Canada is proud to be introducing measures that complement other important programs, such as a $500,000 investment this year to the Native Women's Association of Canada from the “From Evidence to Action” program; the Government's Aboriginal Justice Strategy, which serves approximately 400 communities; the Government's Family Violence Initiative and other important collaborative programs
