Conservatives change tune on MMIW inquiry

Dec 8, 2015 | 10:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod says her party has done a full 180 on support of the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

McLeod, the Conservative Party’s critic for Indigenous Affairs, stood in the House of Commons today to announce the party’s support.

While the Conservatives governed, their MPs were adamant an inquiry would only repeat work already completed in previous studies.

Today, she told CFJC News the party cannot ignore the overwhelming voices in favour of the inquiry.

“Clearly in the past, my perspective that the answers are within the 40-plus existing reports,” said McLeod. “But Canadians and indigenous leaders across the country felt very, very strongly about this national inquiry, and our leader made a commitment that we would be supporting this moving forward.”

McLeod she hopes the inquiry doesn’t detract from moving forward with action, and she hopes the inquiry will reveal answers that will give victims’ families peace.