MPs Debate UN’s Stolen Sisters Directive To Canada
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 14:25
An NDP MP is not impressed with the Conservative government’s response to a United Nations directive regarding missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
On Monday, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism Against Women gave Canada a year to state how it will make more progress on the 511 files of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
The Canadian government was also urged to hold an inquiry into the matter.
It was also asked to improve law enforcement.
Yesterday in the House of Commons, NDP Deputy Aboriginal Affairs Critic Megan Leslie asked Minister of State for the Status of Women Helena Guergis when the government was going to commit to doing an investigation.
Guergis responded by saying the government is working closely with the Sisters in Spirit campaign to make sure it understands violence against Aboriginal women, and the government is looking forward to continuing to work with its community partners.
Her answer didn’t satisfy Leslie, who says counting women is not enough — because they’re still dying and disappearing.
Guergis could not be reached for comment.