Debates of the Senate (Hansard)

2nd Session, 40th Parliament,
Volume 146, Issue 35

Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

The Cabinet

Investigation into Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Children

Hon. Mobina S.B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, my question is to Leader of the Government in the Senate. I detected from the way she answered the foregoing questions that she certainly understands this issue, feels compassionate and wants to do something about this issue.

In light of the responses the leader has given this chamber, would she recommend to cabinet that there be an investigation or inquiry as to why there has been little to no investigation on the disappearance of these women? How can it be that so many women have disappeared or been killed without a resulting investigation? Will the Leader of the Government in the Senate recommend an investigation?

Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government and Minister of State (Seniors)): Honourable senators, I do not think any of us can say that there has been no investigation on these matters. I cannot believe that would be the case.

This is a serious issue and it disproportionately affects Aboriginal women, children and their families. I am equally confident that we live in a society with a police force that treats these crimes seriously. I would be surprised to find that is not the case. In any event, I will ask for explicit details on the stages of investigation of these various cases. As the honourable senator knows, and as we all acknowledge, there are many of them.