The Chief of the Quebec Assembly of First Nations is calling for an independent inquiry into the abuse allegations made by indigenous women against Sûreté du Québec officers.
Following reports that Crown officials will not lay charges against SQ officers, Ghislain Picard stated that the issue is too broad to be adequately handled by Montreal police.
The Assembly of First Nations is calling for an immediate emergency budget to be made available to communities to better address issues of abuse, provide front-line services and provide a “safety net” for Indigenous women and their family members.
SPVM officials were tasked with investigating the provincial police force after a Radio-Canada investigation revealed the assault claims by Aboriginal women in Val-d’Or, 530 kilometers northwest Montreal.
Prosecutors announced earlier this week that they had finished reviewing 37 files received from the Montreal police force. The investigations involve allegations made before last April.
Prosecutors don’t believe that there is enough evidence to lay charges against the officers accused of abuse.
Picard pointed to a long history of mistrust between indigenous people and police.
“We have very good reasons to believe 37 is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more cases of women that are afraid of coming forward,” he said, adding that he felt the government shirked its duty.
“A public inquiry within Quebec would have been the proper response,” he said.
Crown officials have scheduled a news conference in Val-d’Or on Friday.
Quebec Native Affairs Minister Geoffrey Kelley said he wouldn’t comment until that time.
PQ Leader Jean-François Lisée said he disagrees with police investigating police.
“It taints a bit the independence of the inquiry that led to the decision not to press charges,” said Lisée.
Human rights activist Ellen Gabriel said she thinks the Quebec government took the wrong approach.
“The enjoyment of your human rights includes your security and that's security also from the authorities and in this era of reconciliation with indigenous peoples, which Justin Trudeau just declared was the most important relationship in his electoral campaign, is proof that this is not happening. Reconciliation is not happening,” she said.
Gabriel said indigenous people have a right to have their voices heard and be a part of this investigation process, adding that they still plan to ask for an independent inquiry.
A report issued Wednesday by an independent civilian observer said the Montreal police investigation of the SQ officers was fair and impartial, however, added that police frequently do not look at the root causes of conflicts between indigenous people and police.
