The federal NDP critic for Aboriginal Affairs says she isn’t impressed with a government pledge to end violence against women.
Jean Crowder says the pledge, outlined in a new release this week, makes no mention of the problem concerning Aboriginal women — and doesn’t set aside any money for Aboriginal women’s groups.
In the release, Ottawa is calling for project proposals in four key areas, none of which mention the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.
Crowder says the Conservative government is refusing to acknowledge that violence against Aboriginal women is higher than average:
“It’s disappointing. It’s a continuing trend of the government not taking seriously the fact that the incidence for violence against Aboriginal women and children is higher than the average population.”
Crowder adds there are already some aboriginal groups established that would be ideal candidates to get the money.