We, the Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for responding to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, believe that everyone has the right to live free from violence. Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people continue to be harmed by violence arising from racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and socio-economic inequity; the frequency of which has increased with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
We want to honour the families of missing and murdered loved ones in our commitment to work together, and to collaborate with survivors, families and people with lived experience in addressing the multiple, complex and deeply rooted factors that contribute to violence against Indigenous peoples. We honour their resilience and strength. They called for, and will continue to contribute to, building a responsive and Indigenous-led approach to ending endemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in our country.
We aspire to a future where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people experience equality, security and respect in a violence-free Canada.
We support the June 2020 joint statement on antiracism and the January 2021 Joint Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence.¹ We will ensure our respective responses to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls complement our collective efforts to address racism and gender-based violence.
Provinces and territories work at the regional and community level with a broad array of Indigenous peoples, communities, governments and organizations. The perspectives of these critical partners on what actions will be effective in addressing violence against Indigenous Peoples may differ from the Canada-wide view as actions reflect each jurisdiction's priorities and perspectives.
Diversity is one of our country's strengths. We will continue to work collaboratively within and between our jurisdictions, with Indigenous governments and partners, and with Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have lived experience of violence. This will ensure the diversity of perspectives inform the foundation for the required changes to policies, initiatives and practices that best address the unique needs within our respective jurisdictions.
The coronavirus pandemic created challenges for advancing our collective efforts. Protecting and caring for Elders, traditional knowledge-keepers and loved ones became the primary focus of many Indigenous communities, peoples and all levels of government. As a result, our efforts proceeded differently. Web-based collaborations, online meetings and calls advanced some initiatives; however, public health measures limited meaningful community engagement and conversations with communities that provinces and territories think are essential to lasting change.
The National Action Plan is one step on a journey through which provinces and territories may establish shared goals and priorities with the federal government, and clarify areas of shared jurisdictional priority. Respecting the pace and priorities of Indigenous peoples and communities, each province and territory is pursuing further dialogue and engagement with Indigenous partners on actions they have already taken as well as those that will come in response to the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice.
Provincial and territorial governments, the federal government, Indigenous governments and partners, and all Canadians share a responsibility to lead the societal changes required to address these urgent and long-standing issues. We commit to building a solid foundation with our respective Indigenous partners to address the violence, racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
Finally, as Provincial and Territorial Ministers, we commit to collaborating and encourage all Canadians to be part of the future where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people live free of violence and discrimination.
Introduction
Jurisdictional Content
Building on this joint commitment, the information that follows provides the landscape of work underway in provinces and territories in responding to the Calls for Justice and addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. It recognizes the significant work, engagement and collaboration underway within each jurisdiction – between government and Indigenous partners – and acknowledges that the journey is an ongoing one, with much more to be done. It also outlines where future collaborative action may be needed and welcomed. Finally, the chapter highlights the breadth of responses and acknowledges and celebrates the unique realities and perspectives of Indigenous communities and persons from coast to coast to coast. Provinces and territories look forward to reviewing the priorities and strategies outlined in the National Action Plan, as developed by the working groups, and to building on the work underway in each jurisdiction.
Footnotes
- Although Québec did not endorse the Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence, it supports its general principles and will continue to be active in the fight against gender-based violence by prioritizing its own actions and measures. It also intends to continue to share information and best practices with other governments on this issue.
