Mr. Speaker, on January 31, I asked the Minister of Justice about the need to take concrete steps regarding the report of the Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women.
Unfortunately, the question was evaded, as usual. It is truly shameful that Conservatives try to hide the fundamental systemic violence and, as a result, are perpetuating it. Therefore, I am taking this opportunity to come back to the subject, as we need to take action in order to avoid having to start over and produce another report that would just be ignored, as those we have produced have been.
Simply put, we need action. There are no lack of ideas and so, here are a few of them.
To begin with, we need to support the sharing of information and culture with agencies, police, lawyers, and social workers, and information and outreach on violence prevention and available resources such as shelters.
We need respectful relationships with police to proactively work with communities and first nation citizens to ensure that they are supported, protected, and feel comfortable reporting crime.
We need to support collaborative approaches to policing and sentencing that recognize the community and family roles of both victims and offenders.
We desperately need funding.
We need adequate funding for services and emergency and second-stage shelters in first nation communities, as well as in rural and urban areas off reserve.
We need funding for organizations and programs that are run or directed by indigenous women themselves.
We need economic security and access to housing for women and children that provides greater safety and autonomy, including the ability to make choices that will take them away from violent situations.
We need resource people in communities, such as family violence workers, counsellors, and social supports, as well as adequate funding and capacity, and we need support mechanisms and interventions for the families of women at high risk of violence.
We need attention and focus on youth, including support to develop self-respect and respect for others and ensure access to traditional teachings and parenting role models, using tools such as sports.
We need to ensure women and girls have political, economic, and social power, and that traditional roles are restored.
We need systems and supports that reflect first nation cultures and teachings and ensure that elders are supported and integrated into the solutions.
We need accountability. We need a royal commission to investigate incidents of violence against indigenous women and girls, including the high rates of missing and murdered women.
We now know what needs to be done. We have known for a long time.
When will the government agree to take concrete steps and agree to an inquiry to end violence against aboriginal women?