In the spring of 2014, the Senate Liberals (now the Progressives) began our Open Caucus initiative. The goal of these meetings was to foster nonpartisan discussion on issues facing our country. We invited all parliamentarians as well as the public to take part in the discussions with a panel of experts on any given topic, and focused on informing ourselves and others on matters that are important to Canadians.
Open Caucus Themes
- 26 March 2014
March 26, 2014—Missing and murdered Aboriginal women
Read moreWe are opening our Caucus doors to Canadians. Each Open Caucus will provide an opportunity to learn, discuss and debate issues of national importance.
Our first meeting was on the tragic situation of murdered and missing aboriginal women.
Sadly, the story of a missing or murdered mother, sister, aunt, niece, or grandmother is not a singular story in Canada’s aboriginal communities. For much of our history, this human rights tragedy has terrorized aboriginal families and communities. Many victims and families have suffered in darkness.
One mother is too many. One sister is too many. One Aboriginal woman is too many.
Presenters:
- Sue O’Sullivan — Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
- Maryanne Pearce — Researcher who wrote thesis entitled “An Awkward Silence: Missing and Murdered Vulnerable Women and the Canadian Justice System”
- Claudette Dumont-Smith and Irene Goodwin — Native Women’s Association of Canada
This meeting was held:
Wednesday March 26, 2014
9:30 — 11:30 AM
Room 160-S, Centre Block (Parliament Hill)To listen to the audio of this meeting please choose one of the options below:
For Information on this tragic situation:
http://www.amnesty.ca/sites/default/files/amr200032004enstolensisters.pdf
http://www.nwac.ca/files/reports/2010_NWAC_SIS_Report_EN.pdf
