Advertisement

MMIW inquiry formally requests two-year extension

Click to play video: 'Inquiry into missing, murdered Indigenous women seeks 2 more years'
Inquiry into missing, murdered Indigenous women seeks 2 more years
WATCH ABOVE: Troubled inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women seeks two more years – Mar 7, 2018

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls is formally requesting a two-year extension of its mandate.

The request, submitted to the federal government on Tuesday, will be reviewed by Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett. If approved, it will give the commissioners until Dec. 31, 2020, to finish their work.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government had initially earmarked two years and $53.8 million for the long-awaited inquiry. It’s unclear how the budget would be affected if the extension is granted.

WATCH: MMIW inquiry stalled by government bureaucracy: report

Click to play video: 'MMIW inquiry stalled by government bureaucracy: report'
MMIW inquiry stalled by government bureaucracy: report

The inquiry’s chief commissioner, Marion Buller, said last fall that she planned to submit the request to Bennett’s office by the end of December. It’s therefore more than two months overdue, adding to a long list of issues that have plagued the inquiry since its inception.

Story continues below advertisement
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“The response from families, survivors and Indigenous communities has been overwhelming, and we have a sacred responsibility to them to continue moving forward.”

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau says he’s not ready to scrap or restart MMIWG

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Bennett said she would be taking a few weeks to review the request, and would consult with “families, Indigenous partners, provincial and territorial counterparts and my cabinet colleagues.”

Bennett also said she would be responding “shortly” to recommendations made by the inquiry in its interim report, published late last year, “and we will outline further actions.”

WATCH: MMIW report asks for more time and more money

Click to play video: 'MMIW report asks for more time and more money'
MMIW report asks for more time and more money

The inquiry says it has heard from 763 witnesses during 134 public hearings so far, plus 103 closed-door witnesses at 11 community hearings and one expert hearing. The inquiry’s “statement gathering team” has collected 276 statements and received 45 artistic expressions, the release noted.

Story continues below advertisement

“About 630 more individuals have registered with the National Inquiry to share their truths and continue to express interest in participating.”

In addition to hearing from more witnesses, the inquiry says it expects the extension would allow for additional institutional and expert hearings.

“These additional hearings would allow for in-depth examination of issues that include human trafficking and sexual exploitation, institutionalization of Indigenous women and girls, and healthcare and addiction services. … With an extension, the National Inquiry also plans to commission original research to fill gaps on pressing topics, including on the criminal justice system and systems of colonial violence.”

READ MORE: 2nd executive director of MMIWG inquiry resigns

The initial stages of the inquiry were launched in December 2015, shortly after the Liberals formed government. Since then, the inquiry has had to contend with a number of high-profile resignations, bureaucratic hurdles and logistical challenges.

Many of the families wishing to testify have also complained about a lack of communication from organizers.

Buller addressed those problems last fall, defending her team’s work and saying they had “turned a page.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices