QUESTION PERIOD — Crown-Indigenous Relations
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
October 2, 2025
Tomorrow, on Parliament Hill, Indigenous women will be gathering to honour stolen sisters. As they do that, issues will be raised about follow-through on the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. There were 52 Calls for Justice from that inquiry. There is great concern about a lack of follow-through.
Those of us who were on Parliament Hill on September 30 were impressed by comments from Prime Minister Carney, who ended his remarks by saying to everyone assembled on Orange Shirt Day, “We will not fail you.”
Senator Moreau, I’d like to ask what action plan there is of this government at this time for the acceleration of the implementation of the 52 Calls for Justice and also to look at —
You made it clear in your question that the Prime Minister himself committed his government to follow through on Indigenous issues.
Concerning missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, the government has said violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people must be put to an end. The government action plan is co-developed with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, with progress on front-line services for survivors.
The government knows that this does not bring comfort to families and communities who have been through this first-hand. There is more to do. The government is committed to ending this unjustified violence. The words of the Prime Minister held to that commitment.
Senator Moreau, on that point, there cannot be implementation, a promise cannot be fulfilled if cuts to the Women and Gender Equality department, as are predicted, happen. Much of what needs to happen for the implementation of the 52 Calls for Justice comes from Women and Gender Equality.
Once again, I repeat the commitment of the Prime Minister to take those matters seriously and the commitment of his government to work with Indigenous Peoples and with the community to ensure that violence stops, and everything that has to be implemented to enhance the situation of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous communities will be done.
