Question Period Note: Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people - Red Dress Alert

The Government is coordinating a whole-of-government response to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+, through the Federal Pathway and the National Action Plan.

· Budget 2023 proposes funding to establish a Federal-Provincial-Territorial-Indigenous table to discuss areas of mutual interest such as how to launch a “Red Dress Alert,” for notifying the public when an Indigenous woman or two-spirit+ person goes missing.

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If pressed on the Canada-Wide Emergency
• On May 2nd, 2023, a motion was brought forward to declare the continued loss of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people a Canada-wide emergency.

• This motion was unanimously adopted in the House of Commons.

• The work to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people has been and continues to be a priority for the Government of Canada.

• We have committed to accelerating the implementation of the Federal Pathway and continue to make investments to support the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

If pressed on actions since forming Government
• Since 2017, the Government has passed significant legislation, implemented various programs, policies, services, and made strong investments to address the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.
• Budget 2021 contains investments of $2.2 billion over five years and $160.9 million ongoing.
• Budget 2022 and 2023 provide additional and continued funding that addresses the root causes of violence.
• This includes investments in mental health and wellness supports, distinctions-based housing, education, health, anti-racism, economic development, clean water, legal aid, supports for Indigenous art, addressing gender-based violence, and ensuring accountability, transparency, and oversight.

If pressed on the launch of the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway in response to the MMIWG Inquiry)
• On June 3, 2021, the Government of Canada, alongside Indigenous partners and organizations, families, survivors, and provinces and territories, launched the National Action Plan and the Government’s contribution, the Federal Pathway.
• Initiatives of both aim to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.
• The federal government, together with partners, released the first annual progress report on the National Action Plan on June 3, 2022.
• The federal government is committed to working closely with all partners on this critical, ongoing priority.

If pressed on reporting
• In the Federal Pathway, the Government of Canada committed to producing an annual progress report on key milestones and progress made against the commitments.
• On June 3 2022, the Government of Canada published the first annual progress report on the Federal Pathway.
• This report contains an update of more than 50 initiatives and programs led by 25 federal departments and agencies that were launched under the Federal Pathway and identifies the work ahead.
• The second annual progress report on the Federal Pathway is underway and will be released in June 2023.

If pressed on results

• The Government of Canada is accelerating the implementation of the Federal Pathway.
• As a result of Budget 2021 investments, CIRNAC has been able to expend all funds for:
o Cultural Spaces, with some additional funding, so that $120.5M has been delivered;
o the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors program, which secured additional funding, so that in the first two years of the program $7.5M has been delivered;
o Enhanced Support for Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Organizations, with approximately $11.5M delivered; and,
o the Indigenous-led Data projects program has delivered $3.5 M in the first two years of the program.

If pressed on the role of the MMIWG Secretariat
• Budget 2021 invested $16.6 million dollars over six years for the establishment of a permanent MMIWG Secretariat.
• The Secretariat leads the coordination of the Government of Canada’s efforts towards addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people, including the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Federal Pathway.
• The Secretariat engages with all partners in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan.
• The MMIWG Secretariat manages the Wellbeing of Families and Survivors Program, the Indigenous-Led Data Program, and supports Indigenous partners to continue to participate in the work going forward.

If pressed on Budget 2023
• Together with Indigenous partners, the federal government is accelerating the implementation of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit LGBTQI+ people.
• Budget 2023 is proposing to invest an additional $124.7 million over six years, with $20.4 million ongoing.
• These new proposed investments aim to ensure that progress is made on efforts to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit LGBTQI+ people, through safer communities, supports for families, and funding to ensure transparency, oversight, and accountability.

If pressed on implementation of the Federal Pathway
• As stated in the Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada is committed to accelerating the work to implement both the Federal Pathway and the National Action Plan.
• Many commitments in the Federal Pathway and Budget 2021 have been implemented or are well underway to being implemented, aimed at seeing concrete and tangible results on the ground.
• The government reports annually on the progress made, through an annual progress report. The next one will be released in June 2023.

If pressed on implementation of the whole National Action Plan
• Implementing the National Action Plan will require a concerted effort by all.
• The Government of Canada continues to work with Indigenous partners, families and survivors, provinces and territories, and other organizations on the implementation of the National Action Plan.
• Plans are underway with partners to set up a second Federal, Provincial, Territorial, and Indigenous table for the fall.

If pressed on supports for Indigenous shelters

• Indigenous Services Canada currently funds the operations of emergency shelters and transitional housing for Indigenous women, children, and families escaping violence.
• In June 2021, 12 new shelters were announced, with $85 million committed to build and support their operations over five years and $10.2 million annually. In July 2021, $724.1 million was announced to support 38 emergency shelters and 50 transition homes over five years. This includes the expansion of culturally-relevant violence prevention activities and $96.6 million annually.
• In total, 24 new shelters have been selected, raising the total number supported by Indigenous Services Canada to 70. In May 2023, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $103.8M to create 178 new Indigenous Shelters and Transitional units in 21 communities across the country. This is part of the $724.1 million committed through the 2020 Comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy.

If pressed on shelters and second-stage housing

• Shelters provide a vital place of refuge for Indigenous women and children escaping violence across Canada.

• In May 2020, we announced funding to build 10 new shelters in First Nations communities and two in the territories to help protect Indigenous women and children escaping domestic violence. In June 2021, 12 new shelters were announced.

• In November 2020, further funding was announced via the Fall Economic Statement to build and support an additional 38 shelters and 50 transition homes. In May, 2023, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $103M for 22 projects in 21 communities.

If pressed on genocide
• Some actions and policies have directly led to the loss and extinguishment of Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditional practices.
• The Government has accepted the Final Report of the National Inquiry and respects their findings.
• The Government is grateful for the work of all partners on the development of a National Action Plan to eliminate violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.

If pressed on oversight committee for the National Action Plan
• The Government of Canada recognizes the need for an independent oversight body to monitor the implementation of the National Action Plan.
• Accountability is key to ending the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people to hold all those responsible for implementation to account.
• The Government of Canada has engaged with Indigenous partners, families, and survivors on this oversight committee, and has contracted Innovation 7, an Indigenous firm, to continue this engagement to develop recommendations for the development of an oversight mechanism. The final report will be shared soon and the Government of Canada will be continuing conversations with partners.

If pressed on Ombudsperson / Tribunal
• Accountability is critical to ending violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people and this accountability is shared by all levels of government and the private sector.
• The Final Report of the National Inquiry calls for an Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson and tribunal to ensure accountability, redress, and advocacy.
• The Ombudsperson is a priority identified by Indigenous partners, families, and survivors in the 2021 National Action Plan. The Ministerial Special Representative will engage with Indigenous partners and provide advice and recommendations to address this priority.
• Budget 2023 proposed $1.6M over 2 years to support this work.

If pressed on the January 10th Roundtable of Indigenous Leadership and Representatives and Federal-Provincial-Territorial Governments
• The federal government and the provinces and territories have a responsibility to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.
• On January 10, 2023, a Roundtable of Indigenous leadership and representatives and federal-provincial-territorial governments addressing MMIWG and Two-Spirit+ was held.
• The Roundtable established a space for constructive dialogue, where Indigenous women’s and Two-Spirit+ voices were heard and information on tangible progress was shared by Indigenous organizations and federal, provincial, and territorial representatives.
• Our government is committed to ongoing collaboration with Indigenous representatives, provinces, and territories, through the Roundtable and other forums, to end this national tragedy.

If pressed on alignment to other plans and strategies
• Through the coordination role undertaken by the MMIWG Secretariat, a whole-of-government approach is being taken to deliver programs, policies, and legislation to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people.
• This work aligns with plans such as: the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the Indigenous Justice Strategy, and the Women, Peace and Security Plan.
• All of these efforts together contribute to the transformative change required so that Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit+ people live free from violence.

If pressed on sexual assault within the context of MMIWG

• Gender based violence has disproportionate impacts on Indigenous women girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. For instance 46% of Indigenous women have experienced sexual assault, compared to 33% of non-Indigenous women.

• The Government of Canada is committed to ending this violence with a whole-of-government approach through the Federal Pathway.

• This includes programs such as the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund that in part provides housing resources for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+people fleeing sexualized violence and exploitation; and the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative, which includes a program to promote safety and increase awareness about violence and sexual exploitation.