Saskatchewan’s leaders want an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
A substantial majority of our urban governments voted in favour of the move at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association conference.
28-year old Monica Burns from Prince Albert is the latest victim. She was found dead in mid-January.
In Saskatchewan, Aboriginal women make up 55 per cent of all homicide victims.
SUMA’s motion adds to the growing group of voices across the country, calling on the federal government to launch an inquiry.
The motion was put forward by North Battleford City Council.
“It’s our police forces for example who are involved in the searching and in the processing of these missing women’s files,” said North Battleford City Councillor Ray Fox. “So, indirectly through our tax dollars we’re supporting what should be the role of the federal government.”
SUMA president, Debra Button, was not surprised to see the motion pass.
“A lot of our police chiefs have said they already know what the problem is, and it’s time to move forward with some action and possibly a task force,” she told Global News.
The federal government has already said it won’t fund an inquiry, but Button hopes the vote helps sway that decision.