Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, and Caroline Mulroney, Attorney General issued the following statement in recognition of the annual Women’s Memorial March for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls:
“Across the country people are participating in the annual Women’s Memorial March to draw attention to the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The high rate of violence against Indigenous women and girls is deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable to our government. It represents a challenge to how we see ourselves as a province, a country, and our commitment to a society that is safe, fair and just.
Violence against Indigenous women has devastating impacts on children, families, and communities across Ontario. We need to confront and eliminate the causes of violence so that all Indigenous women and girls are safe to live their lives free from the fear of harm.
We know that First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous organizations have identified this critical issue as a priority for their communities. We are hopeful the final report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls this spring shines a light on all the causes of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Indigenous women and families deserve safety from harm, and justice in the face of violence. Together, we must work to ensure that the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are never lost, and that the fight for change continues in their names.”