Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton has issued the following statement regarding Canada’s National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:

“Today, the Government of Canada honoured a commitment it made during the federal election to launch a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“While British Columbia’s Oppal Inquiry looked at specific cases of missing and murdered women in the Downtown Eastside and along the Highway of Tears, the national inquiry will take a new approach, focusing on the underlying root causes and systemic issues that  increase the vulnerability of Indigenous women and girls.

“I would like to congratulate the Honourable Judge Marion Buller-Bennett of Port Coquitlam, who has been selected as chair of the national inquiry. Judge Buller-Bennett will bring leadership and experience to this important and historic process.

“The B.C. government is pleased to confirm B.C.’s support for, and intention to participate fully in, the national inquiry. B.C. is heartened that across Canada the topic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is getting the attention and leadership it deserves.

“Alongside our federal, provincial and territorial colleagues, the Province is committed to supporting this process as a critical step towards collaborative, meaningful, and transformative action on this important issue.”