"Madam Chair, the member talked about how the government continues to support the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls calls for justice, but the reality is this. The Coalition on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in British Columbia was shut out of the process, and after the inquiry and after the final report was tabled, to this day it has not received recognition from the government to ensure it has a voice at the table to see its implementation. The coalition is made up of family members, women's organizations, indigenous people and indigenous women, who have done the hard work in our community calling for this national inquiry.
Would the member call on the Liberal government to do the right thing and provide supports to organizations such as the coalition in British Columbia so they can have a seat at the table to ensure that real and meaningful action is taken on the path forward in implementing the calls for justice?"
Jenica Atwin (Liberal) Fredericton, NB
"Madam Chair, I respect my hon. colleague's work in this House.
I specifically joined the Liberal Party of Canada to have these conversations, to be a voice and empower those voices, not only from my local community here but from coast to coast to coast, as well as critical organizations such as the Native Women's Association of Canada. There are many times when those voices are shut out of these processes, which is part of that systemic racism we continue to see. It is ongoing.
I certainly did not use my time in my speech to sing the praises of the work that has been done; we have that commitment now. I see that with the members in the House speaking together. We are united in this. I want them to know that the government I am a part of, in the conversations that we have, is absolutely committed to righting the wrongs. I would not be here if I did not believe that."
