Ottawa Taken To Task Over Plight Of Native Women

Ottawa Taken To Task Over Plight Of Native Women

Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 15:06

The society that works for and with women and girls in the justice system says Canada is violating the human rights of Aboriginal women.

The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies says Canada is failing to provide basic necessities to these women, many of whom live in remote, northern communities where there is a lack of services and resources.

Kim Pate is the association’s executive director.

She says Aboriginal women are vulnerable, and the fact that hundreds of them are missing and murdered further illustrates that.

She says Canada was once seen as a great human rights example but says that’s changed.

Pate says the government should stop spending so much money on incarcerating these women.

She says the $50,000 to $250,000 spent on each person in custody could go a long way to providing programs for addictions, mental health, and housing.