MONTREAL – The chief of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is softening his tone towards the Quebec premier regarding accusations of gross misconduct of provincial police officers towards native women.
Ghislain Picard says he invited Premier Philippe Couillard to a meeting of native leaders in Montreal on Nov. 4.
Couillard says today he hasn’t received the invite, but would be open to a meeting eventually.
READ MORE: Indigenous group gives Quebec premier 24 hours to meet, discuss police abuse claims
On Tuesday, Picard demanded Couillard meet with aboriginal leaders within 24 hours to discuss the case, which shocked many in Quebec and created tension between natives and non-natives in the town of Val d’Or, where the alleged abuses occurred.
READ MORE: Allegations police abused First Nations women in Val-d’Or part of a national problem, observers say
Eight provincial police officers have been suspended following recent news reports of native women accusing officers of physical and sexual abuse in the town located 525 kilometres northwest of
Montreal.
The investigation was transferred to the Montreal police and the premier said his government will add an independent observer to oversee the probe.
Comments