Missing or deceased indigenous children : Calls for a Distinct Bill

The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Mr. Ghislain Picard, accompanied by the Liberal Critic for Indigenous Affairs, Mr. David Birnbaum, and the Quebec Solidaire member representing Jean-Lesage, Mr. Sol Zanetti, are calling for a distinct bill on behalf of families of indigenous children who are missing or deceased.

Last December, the Legault government took everyone by surprise by proposing to include amendments regarding the search for missing children within Bill 31, which seeks to increase the responsibilities entrusted to pharmacists.

One of the 6 proposed amendments stipulates that: “the minister of Justice assist and guide families in the search for a child that is missing or has been declared deceased without having been provided with proof”. It is a proposal that has absolutely nothing to do with a bill that concerns pharmacists.

The chief of the AFNQL had sent a letter to the CAQ government on January 24th to request that the amendments be removed from Bill 31 and instead form part of a distinct bill.

Recall that on December 20th, the Protectrice du Citoyen had emphasized a concern regarding the lack of consultations that led to the insertion of these amendments within a bill aimed at pharmacists.

The AFNQL has a responsibility to support the will of families who are calling for a distinct bill. The Legault government is faced with a unique opportunity to go beyond the apologies made by the Premier on October 2nd by tabling a bill that meets First Nations’ and Inuit peoples’ expectations.

–Mr. Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL)

How can this government claim to be listening to the First Nations and Inuit communities when it rejects their requests out of hand? Grand Chief Picard, families who have lived through the tragedy of a child that is missing or deceased, the Protectrice du Citoyen and the opposition parties are unanimous- remove these amendments from Bill 31, respect families’ dignity, listen to experts and table a separate bill.

–Mr. David Birnbaum, Official Opposition Critic for Indigenous Affairs

The 20th call for justice within the Kepek report published pursuant to the National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls is worthy of a distinct bill whose development is based on upstream collaborations with First Nations and Inuit peoples. Sometimes, we might find that consulting takes time, but when it is done upstream, we in fact save a considerable amount of time and show genuine respect towards those with whom we are working.

–Mr. Sol Zanetti, MNA representing Jean-Lesage.