Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
OTTAWA — Canada’s new minister of indigenous and northern affairs says pre-inquiry consultations should be launched within the next two weeks as the Liberal government lays the groundwork for a long-awaited probe on missing and murdered aboriginal women.
Carolyn Bennett says the consultation process will involve speaking with the families of victims, provincial and territorial representatives and grassroots organizations.
She also says it will be key to establish terms for the inquiry, including its mandate and how many commissioners should conduct the study.
In their election platform, the Liberals promised to spend $40 million over two years on the inquiry.
Bennett says she was pleasantly surprised to hear an expression of support for the inquiry from interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose.
She says the government will need the help of parliamentarians from all parties as it forges ahead with the process.
