Madam Speaker, it is an honour for me to join the debate today to speak about an issue of immense importance to people across the riding of Kenora and across Canada, and that is the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Before the parliamentary break, I raised this issue in question period, asking when the government would confirm it would be able to provide its action plan, as promised, on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. However, I was not able to get an answer. I am hoping I will get an answer today.
As we know, the national inquiry released its final report in June of 2019. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations had promised to release the government's action plan in one year's time. Of course, one year's time would have been last June. We are now into 2021, and the government has yet to show us that action plan.
I worry that this promise could follow a fate similar to the government's pledge to end all long-term drinking water advisories. We know the government had to walk that promise back very recently. We also know that the government has been using COVID-19 as an excuse not just for the lack of an action plan but also for the issue of the drinking water advisories, as well as many other issues.
Especially during a pandemic that has put vulnerable indigenous women and girls at an even great risk because they may be separated from their support systems or perhaps stuck in a situation where there could be further harm, I believe the need for this plan is quite urgent, and I know the government recognizes that urgency.
It is also quite unfortunate this issue seems to disproportionately impact my riding. Over the last eight years, as I noted previously in the House, half of Ontario's identified cases took place in the Kenora district. That is why I am seeking these answers. I hope the government can provide them for us.
As I was not able to get a clear answer last time, I would like to ask once again if the government could tell us when its national action plan will be released.