Statement made on 15 June 2010 by Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas
Hon. Sandra Lovelace Nicholas:
Honourable senators, on March 3, 2010, the Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty, announced that the federal government would invest $10 million over two years to address the high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
According to the latest statistics, about 583 cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women have occurred in Canada over four decades. There are still cases that have yet to be confirmed. Although three months have passed since the announcement, the government has yet to make any specific commitments to fund concrete initiatives that would address the growing tragedy of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
Honourable senators, in the case of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, the foot-dragging and the delay compound an already inhumane problem. These women, children and families have waited long enough for answers and help.
Will the Leader of the Government in the Senate explain to this house how her government plans to spend the $10 million with specific, concrete actions to address the devastating problems of missing and murdered Aboriginal women?
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