Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Beverley Jacobs, the head of the Native Women's Association of Canada.
Young indigenous women in Canada are five times more likely than all other women to die as the result of violence.
Racist and sexist stereotypes, poverty and the failure of police forces to understand and respect first nations communities have all contributed to the problem.
However, government studies recommending concrete measures to improve the lives of indigenous women gather dust on the shelves.
The Sisters in Spirit initiative is raising awareness and calling for measures to reduce violence against indigenous women.
Our government can act immediately to ensure that police thoroughly investigate all reports of missing women and girls and to provide adequate, stable funding to the front line organizations that provide services to help indigenous women and girls.
When will the government act to ensure the safety of indigenous women?