Evidence of meeting #47 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was community.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Irene Mathyssen
One of the things we've heard in every place we've been this round is that there are problems in regard to the justice system, the relationship between people and the judiciary, police, and social services. Are those problems that you face in Sioux Lookout and in the more remote communities?
9:20 a.m.
Ontario Regional Chief, Chiefs of Ontario
Can I just say that a number of reports have been made recently, I know, in terms of the policing end of things and some of the inequities that are there. It captures, I'm sure, the need for services for first nations women.
MP Rickford talked about some of the good programs and services that have been provided to some of the communities, which is good. The problem is that there are not enough. These are good, but you've got 26 communities that are isolated. There should be much more consideration for all of them, not cherry-picking one area or one community but rather looking at an overall plan to service all of the area.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Irene Mathyssen
Thank you.
I'm close to my time, so I'm going to leave it at that. We do have to travel; we're going to do a site visit.
I want to thank everyone for being here.
Thank you to Equay-wuk, to Sandra, Darlene, and Karen. We appreciate the expertise you have brought to the committee and we're most grateful for the advice you've given.
We're certainly glad to see you, Chief Toulouse. It was very good of you to take time.
I know all of you are very busy. We appreciate the effort you've made in order to help this committee do its work. Thank you to MP Rickford for joining us, to the other members of the committee, and to the staff.
With that, the meeting is adjourned.