The provincial government is allowing the commissioners of the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls access to Manitoba’s investigative work on the issue.
Justice Minister Heather Stefanson and Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke said in a news release Tuesday the government passed an order in council granting access to the information.
“Like most Canadians, our government’s hope is that this national inquiry will result in realistic and meaningful changes that will begin to address the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls,” Stefanson said in the news release.
The national commissioners will have access to Manitoba inquest reports, reviews of the child welfare system, and a 2016 report on the vulnerability of marginalized indigenous girls.
“Throughout our consultations, we have heard that the national inquiry must be culturally respectful, emotionally supportive and must also reflect the wisdom, experiences and recommendations of the many individual Manitobans, local families, indigenous community leaders and relevant organizations who have contributed to our province’s unique volume of experience on this issue,” Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke said.
“To support these expectations, Manitoba also believes it will be important for the commissioners of the national inquiry to review the good work that has already been done in advance of the inquiry.”
The inquiry’s commissioners are expected to release a report with recommendations by the end of 2018.
