Addressing the interim report
On November 1, 2017, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Women and Girls published an interim report.
The interim report included recommendations identifying changes to improve the functioning of the inquiry and better address the needs of survivors and family members going forward. The Government of Canada is taking action in response to some of these recommendations.
Health support and victim services supports
The Government of Canada is increasing health support and victim services by:
- providing $21.3M over three years to complement the health supports provided by the inquiry, such as
- allowing the expansion of services to include all survivors, family members and those affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
- improving their access to health support services
- extending the timeframe during which health support services will be available up to June 30, 2020
- providing an additional $5.42 million in 2019-2020 to extend the timeframe for the two Department of Justice Canada initiatives: Family Information Liaison Units and funding for community-based organizations to support families beyond the life of the inquiry
Commemoration fund
Through Status of Women Canada, the government will establish a commemoration fund by providing $10 million over two years to honour the lives and legacies of Indigenous women, girls and LGBTQ2S individuals. The commemoration fund will support Indigenous communities in developing and implementing commemorative events. As the inquiry noted in the interim report, public commemoration is a powerful way to honour truths, support healing, create awareness, and to advance reconciliation.
Review of police policies
The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of addressing gaps in services to Indigenous peoples throughout the criminal justice system and enhancing law enforcement capabilities. Up to $1.25 million is being provided to organizations with expertise in law enforcement and policing to lead a review of police policies and practices with regards to their relations with the Indigenous peoples they serve.
National Investigative Standards and Practices Unit
$9.6 million over five years will support the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s new National Investigative Standards and Practices Unit. Members of this unit provide national oversight to major RCMP investigations. A significant proportion of this oversight will focus on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls investigations.