Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton met today with her federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to discuss key justice and public safety priorities and release the Justice Framework to address violence against Indigenous women and girls.

The framework identifies priorities to guide jurisdictions, and their partners, in a more coordinated approach as they develop programs and initiatives to address violence against Indigenous women and girls. Created with input from Indigenous organizations and peoples across Canada, the framework identifies priorities for the justice system in the areas of crime prevention, law enforcement, courts, corrections, victim services and other justice services, with an emphasis on improving relationships between justice sector professionals and Indigenous people.

At the one-day session in Quebec City, the attorney general shared views on the design of the national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and ministers discussed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, physician-assisted dying, financing an innovative justice system, cyber security and countering radicalization.

Quote:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton –

“B.C. was invited to share its experience coming out of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and our government is committed to addressing it in collaboration with partners across the country and within British Columbia. Today’s release of the Justice Framework is another step in making meaningful progress to create a legacy of safety for all vulnerable women.”

Quick Facts:

• Addressing violence against Aboriginal women is a key priority in the Vision for a Violence Free BC strategy – the Province’s long term strategy to prevent, respond to and rebuild from violence against women in B.C.
• Following the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in British Columbia, the Province has provided compensation to children of the victims, helped improve cell coverage on Highway 16 by almost 50%, and brought in new tools for police to find people who go missing.
• British Columbia provides $2.5 million in ongoing annual funding for services and supports to victims of crime and women who have experienced violence in Northern British Columbia. Throughout the province, there are 13 programs specifically designed to serve Indigenous victims of violence, as well as an additional eight programs run by Aboriginal organizations.
• The Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women was established in 2011 to provide advice on how to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal women throughout the province and has worked on several projects focused on reducing violence and improving the lives of Aboriginal women.
• Of the $5 million in Civil Forfeiture grants announced in 2015, over $1 million was provided to fund 58 projects focused on supporting Aboriginal communities in their anti-violence and prevention initiatives
• In August 2015 British Columbia announced $1.5 million in funding for Aboriginal organizations and communities to increase direct services and supports throughout the province for Aboriginal people affected by domestic violence.
• With First Nations leaders, the Province is co-hosting the BC Family Gathering, a three-day gathering of healing and memorial for families of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls (Jan. 31-Feb. 2).