Kwei, hello.
My name is Marjolaine Étienne and I am the president of Quebec Native Women Inc. In May, our organization will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. I wanted to point out that our organization has been active for 50 years, has picked itself up after setbacks, and has accomplished some great things.
Quebec Native Women is here to comment on the motion that was adopted. I believe there was a meeting in December or January and we were able to provide our comments on the implementation of a red dress alert system, which is similar to the amber alert.
We said there are certain differences that must be considered if such a system is created. In Quebec, we have to consider certain elements that could facilitate the establishment of the system. It is probably different in western Canada. There are systems in place in Quebec, but they are completely different from those in western Canada.
Our organization supports the implementation of such a system and expects that it will be implemented. We see it as one avenue among many for protecting women and young girls as much as possible, whether they are in their own community or outside it, that is, in Quebec's general population.
Implementing the red dress alert system is important. In our opinion, we need to bring together the key stakeholders who will have a role to play and will have responsibilities. I am referring in particular to the police services in the various communities in Quebec. In addition, we have to consider all the police systems outside our communities.
In order to improve safety and act quickly when someone goes missing, I think we need to establish a multidisciplinary team and take the necessary steps. In terms of implementation, though, we are talking about starting up an organization. Before all of that, however, there is preliminary work to be done. It is at that stage that we need to appeal to all the key stakeholders, including our indigenous political leaders, so they recognize that such a system would be effective. We need to take a broad overview in establishing the system and need to determine which stakeholders will have an important role to play in establishing it.
Just recently, we spoke briefly with the head of the Quebec Association of First Nation and Inuit Police Directors.