The federal government has announced who will chair the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and it will be a B.C. First Nations judge.
Judge Marion Buller-Bennett of Port Coquitlam has been selected to chair the national inquiry. The national inquiry will focus on the root causes and systemic issues against Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The inquiry will also include four commissioners; Michèle Audette; Qajaq Robinson; Marilyn Poitras; and Brian Eyolfson.
"For over a decade, the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls have been demanding action,” said Buller-Bennett. “Today, after meaningful engagement with the families, experts and those with lived experience, I am proud that the Prime Minister, with the support of all provinces and territories, has appointed five outstanding Commissioners who will now be able to do the work needed for Canada to put in place the concrete actions necessary to put an end to this national tragedy."
The National Inquiry will be funded by the Government of Canada, with the participation and full co-operation of all the provinces and territories. In response to the pre-inquiry recommendations, the Government also announced today $16.17 million over four years for the creation of Family Information Liaison Units in each province and territory and to increase Victims Services funding to provide culturally-appropriate victims services for families.
The Family Information Liaison Units will provide centralized, dedicated resources for families of missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls and gather the information families are seeking on their behalf. These services will be provided in a respectful and coordinated manner during the Inquiry.
