Missing women inquiry seeks two more years
OTTAWA — The national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is formally asking for another two years and more money to finish its work, saying more time is needed to hear from the hundreds of people still waiting to share their stories.
The inquiry, which has a budget of nearly $54 million, was originally scheduled to wrap up by the end of 2018, but chief commissioner Marion Buller has long warned more time and money will be necessary.
“We believe that the two years is required to do justice to our critical mandate for the safety and security of our women, Indigenous women and girls, and 2SLGBTQ (LGBTQ and twospirit) people across Canada,” Buller said Tuesday after the commission submitted its formal request.
“The response from families, survivors and Indigenous communities has been overwhelmingly strong,” she added, describing the inquiry’s work as a “sacred responsibility.”
Fellow commissioner Michele Audette said the extension would require another $50 million.
The extra time and funding will allow the inquiry to conduct more valuable research into areas such as legislative reform, child welfare and policing and to canvass witnesses for recommendations on how to make Canada safer for all Indigenous women and girls, Buller said.
The commission will also use the extra time to reach out to more marginalized Indigenous women, including those who are homeless or incarcerated, she added.
“For the people who are waiting to hear from us, we want to hear from you. We want to know what happened to you or your lost loved one. We also want to hear your recommendations,” Buller said.
“I hold my hands up to all of you to honour you for your courage and your strength.”
The office of Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett confirmed it received the inquiry’s request and that the minister would speak over the coming weeks with families, Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial officials and her cabinet colleagues about the possibility of an extension.