CAW Applauds Call by Canadian Premiers for National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

TORONTO/NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, July 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The CAW is lauding yesterday's announcement by Canadian Premiers to support the call for a national inquiry by the Native Women's Association of Canada into the cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

CAW Director of Women's Programs Julie White said that the public endorsement of a national inquiry is a positive step in addressing the estimated thousands of cases of missing aboriginal women across Canada.

"Violence is an issue that crosses all jurisdictional boundaries and governments at all levels have repeatedly failed aboriginal women and their families on this issue," said White. "While stating support for the national inquiry is incredibly important, Premiers must be committed to ensuring that it becomes a reality. The provinces also share in the responsibility to address the violence, systemic indifference and violence of poverty that aboriginal women and their families confront."

White said that it's critical that in the days and months ahead that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not only listening, but prepared to act on the urgent call from aboriginal women, Canada's Premiers and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians, with adequate resources, measurable goals and real timelines. "The thousands of missing and murdered aboriginal women and their families deserve nothing less - an inquiry is long overdue," said White.

The CAW is one of many civil society groups that have supported the call for a national inquiry and a federal action plan for ending violence against aboriginal women. To read the CAW's December 6 statement on missing and murdered aboriginal women, please visit: http://www.caw.ca/assets/pdf/2012_December_6_Statement.pdf

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)