The Opposition is renewing its call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women following the death of a First Nations teen in Winnipeg earlier this week.
The body of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine was found wrapped in a bag in the Red River on Sunday.
She had been missing since August 8.
Manitoba NDP MP Niki Ashton says the nature of Fontaine’s death has rocked the local community and it is high time the Harper government admits there is a problem and launches a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“Tina Fontaine was a daughter. She was a niece, she was a loved family member and a loved member of the community. And, at 15 — I mean, at any age — it’s horrifying to hear of this happening. I mean, what kind of society do we have that somebody views her as a piece of garbage — just something to wrap up in plastic and throw in the Red River.”
Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says the killing of Fontaine underscores the need for a public inquiry.
“The entire First Nations and Aboriginal communities across the country are reeling with this particularly poignant and tragic loss. But it comes on a compounded loss of so many missing and murdered over the years, which is why the Liberal Party has always been unequivocal that we need a full, national inquiry.”
Justice Minister Peter MacKay said yesterday he has no plans to call a national inquiry. MacKay says Ottawa’s addressing the issue in other ways such as Aboriginal justice programs and a national DNA missing person’s index.
(with files from The Canadian Press)