Frustration over MMIW inquiry continues

Families, commissioners upset after minister only grants 6-month extension

EDMONTON Families who testified at the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women aren’t any closer to finding justice after the federal government granted a six-month extension, says a local advocate.

“I can only speak from my own experience as a family member and a survivor, but there’s still a lot of frustration and unanswered questions,” said April Eve Wiberg, who testified in November during the Edmonton hearings.

People want to see concrete actions “like taking murderers off the street and keeping perpetrators behind bars,” said the founder of the Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement, a grassroots social justice group.

Federal Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett announced Tuesday the inquiry — which requested an extension of two full years — is getting only six more months to complete its hearings. Its final report is due April 30, 2019.

Inquiry commissioners said the government’s decision does a disservice to victims, survivors and families.

“In seeking a two-year extension, we were striking a balance between the urgency of the issues and the need to do this work thoroughly,” chief commissioner Marion Buller said in a statement.

The inquiry, which has been plagued by chronic delays, staff turnover and complaints about poor communication and a lack of transparency, was originally supposed to have a final report ready by Nov. 1 this year.

Bennett said the decision to extend the mandate by just six months was made in part because provinces and territories were not unanimously supportive of extending the terms of reference for the inquiry into 2019.

“I think we can say there’s a universal frustration at the process,” Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan said Tuesday. “I don’t think that there was a great desire for it to keep moving on.”

Ottawa announced $21.3 million to expand health support provided by the inquiry, $10 million for a commemoration fund and $9.6 million over five years for a specialized RCMP unit.

“Alberta is obviously very concerned that money be properly distributed throughout Canada,” Feehan said, adding the province is home to a large number of people who need support. “We would assume that a significant amount of that money would be dedicated to the families and women in this province.”

The Liberal government initially earmarked $53.8 million and two years for the inquiry to complete its work, but department officials said they will work with the inquiry to determine the budget.

Wiberg said she’s concerned families in rural areas will be left out.

“What does that mean for families and survivors who are living in some of the most remote communities and maybe having challenges accessing support services?” she asked.

Funding isn’t enough and there needs to be a shift in how Indigenous people are treated in Canada, she said.

“Unfortunately, we live in a society where racism towards us is almost normalized and our most vulnerable are being preyed upon each and every day,” she said. “There’s no shortage of predators.”

In seeking a twoyear extension, we were striking a balance between the urgency of the issues and the need to do this work thoroughly