A northern Sask. MP is hoping the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls comes to her area to hear from survivors and families.

Georgina Jolibois is repeating her request, after the federal government, Tuesday announced a six-month extension for the Inquiry to continue to gather evidence and hear testimony.

“It is certainly my hope that the Inquiry come to northern Saskatchewan and meet with as many families as possible,” Joilbois said.

The MP for the riding of Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River could not say whether the additional time was enough.

Jolibois notes the extension will not address the challenges before the Commission, that being; a lack of mental health supports and services for families and survivors, not visiting enough communities to gather testimony and not including law enforcement into the mandate.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett says there was not much support from families of survivors, Indigenous organizations and other governments to extend the Inquiry’s work beyond the next federal election.

“Based on those discussions we found support for giving the Inquiry more time to submit its final report, but little support for the Commission’s mandate to extend beyond the next election,” Bennett said.

The Inquiry also requested an additional $50 million in funding to help complete its work, yet Ottawa has not decided how much more money it will give the Inquiry, wanting to work with them on their budgetary needs.

Jolibois was critical of this decision, suggesting the Inquiry should know the funding it has available. “It is really difficult when the Minister, the Government does not layout the financial plan in support of the Inquiry’s request. I think it would be very difficult for the Inquiry to continue its work with those financial obligations,” Jolibois explained.

Commissioner Michèle Audette released a statement saying “I am currently inhabited by a feeling of incomprehension and deep disappointment. My thoughts are with the family members, survivors of violence and the Spirit of the lost loved ones as the Government of Canada is failing them once again today…I will allow myself the next few weeks to reflect, to analyze the decision, to express my personal opinion and to validate my future participation in the work of the National Inquiry.”

The Inquiry was given until the end of April to submit its final report, up from the initial deadline of Nov. 1, 2018. It will also have until June 30, 2019 to complete all of its operations.

(PHOTO: Georgina Jolibois.  Photo courtesy georginajolibois.ndp.ca.)