Statement made on 21 April 2010 by Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas
Hon. Sandra Lovelace Nicholas:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Today, the Native Women's Association of Canada released a new report. We learned that an amazing 582 Aboriginal women and girls in Canada are missing and murdered. It is imperative that the government address the heart-rending issues of missing Aboriginal women and girls.
This issue is not just another Indian problem. This is about Canada. We cannot be a great country if we cannot fix these wrongdoings.
The Sisters in Spirit initiative is working to enable families and communities to raise their voices and to establish a clear leadership role for the rights of Aboriginal women. Ten million dollars were allocated in the last budget to support the investigation of this issue, but no details have been given on how this money will be used.
When will the Government of Canada truly commit itself to addressing the alarming number of murdered Aboriginal women and girls in our country?
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