Five commissioners to probe missing, murdered indigenous women in Canada

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett answers a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, June 17, 2016. Bennett will meet families of missing and murdered indigenous women tonight on the eve of the government's formal announcement of an inquiry into the deaths and disappearances. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA  – The federal government has announced the terms of a long-awaited inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women, unveiling that it will need at least $13.8 million more for the study than was originally expected.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu attended an event at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., marking the end of the government’s work to design the scope of the study.

The process _ designed to be arm’s length from government once it is up and running on Sept. 1 _ is expected to last at least two years and cost at least $53.8 million.

The federal government originally earmarked $40 million in its budget for the study, but officials decided an additional $13.8 million will be needed.

Five commissioners will be responsible for carrying out the probe.

The commissioners are:

• Marion Buller: chief commissioner, B.C.’s first female First Nations judge
• Michele Audette: former president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Qajaq Robinson: An Ottawa-based, Nunavut-born lawyer who practices civil litigation with an emphasis on aboriginal law
• Marilyn Poitras: a professor at the University of Saskatchewan professor with a focus on indigenous law
• Brian Eyolfson: First Nations lawyer based in Ontario

Under the Inquiries Act, the commissioners will have the same powers as any court in a civil case to enforce the attendance of witnesses and compel them to give evidence.

They may also examine all papers, documents, vouchers, records and books belonging a public office or institution.

The launch of the inquiry shows the government is committed to honouring the lives of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, Wilson-Raybould said Wednesday.

The minister has an intimate knowledge of the issue as a former B.C. regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

By examining root causes _ including past and present systemic and institutional barriers _ the commission will play a key role in defining actions needed to protect the human rights of indigenous women and girls, she added.

The government said Wednesday that family information liaison units will provide centralized resources for families of missing or murdered indigenous women and girls and gather information during the inquiry process.