Manitoba all in for inquiry into murdered, missing indigenous women and girls

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is affirming its participation in a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

The province says in a release that an order in council has been passed which gives the inquiry commissioners the authority to examine work and analysis on the issue already completed in Manitoba.

Included in the material are inquest reports, child welfare reviews, areport on the vulnerability of marginalized indigenous girls.

The five federally appointed commissioners are expected to issue a report and recommendations by the end of 2018.

The Manitoba government had previously promised to co-operate with the inquiry.

But Justice Minister Heather Stefanson said she was disappointed none of the commissioners is from Manitoba, despite its large aboriginal population.

Stefanson said she hopes the inquiry won’t duplicate similar investigations carried out in her province.