VANCOUVER, B.C., October 29, 2010 — The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced concrete steps the Government of Canada is taking to address the disturbingly high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and to make our communities safer.
“The disturbing issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women is one of serious concern and, as Canadians, we know Aboriginal women deserve respect, dignity and the right to feel safe,” said Minister Ambrose. “Our plan will provide new tools for law enforcement, and improve the justice system and victims' services.”
The Government of Canada will invest $10 million over two years to improve community safety and to ensure that the justice system and law enforcement agencies can better respond to cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
The measures will improve law enforcement and the justice system through:
- A new National Police Support Centre for Missing Persons to help police forces across Canada by providing coordination and specialized support in missing persons investigations;
- A national “tip” Web site for missing persons;
- Enhancing the Canadian Police Information Centre database to capture additional missing persons data;
- Amendments to the Criminal Code to streamline the warrants application process where wiretaps are required in missing person cases; and
- A comprehensive list of best practices to help communities, law enforcement and justice partners in future work.
The measures will also improve:
- Federal funding for culturally appropriate victims services through provinces and territories; as well as funding for Aboriginal groups to help the families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women;
- New awareness materials, pilot projects and new school- and community-based pilot projects targeted to young Aboriginal women; and
- New community safety plans to be developed to enhance the safety of women living in Aboriginal communities.
“By introducing these new measures, our Government is improving law enforcement resources and supporting Aboriginal communities through better victims' services, awareness programs, and community safety plans. Our government is taking action to help effectively address the issues of crime and safety,” said Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
The Government of Canada is proud to be introducing measures that complement other important programs, such as a $500,000 investment this year to the Native Women's Association of Canada from the “From Evidence to Action” program; the Government's Aboriginal Justice Strategy, which serves approximately 400 communities; the Government's Family Violence Initiative and other important collaborative programs.
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Ref.:
Pamela Stephens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
Rebecca Thompson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
819-997-5421
