Their interim report was released in early November 2017.
They acknowledged they have “more than one new level of frustration” with the federal government.
Commissioners also expressed their disappointment with the inquiry being timed to the next federal election.
“I’m trying to think of polite words to use but horribly disappointing not only to us but to Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people all across Canada,” says Buller. “We view this issue or issues of violence against Indigenous women and girls to be so serious and so important to all Canadians that it should have survived an election cycle.”
Cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls have continued as the inquiry has crossed the country.
News broke of the death of Mary Madeline Yellowback while the inquiry was in Winnipeg holding hearings.
The body of the 33-year-old woman from God’s River in Manitoba was discovered at a Winnipeg recycling depot on Sept. 28.
Police are investigating Yellowback’s death as suspicious.
“It is just a reminder that we have to keep going with this very important work and get the important recommendations out there to ensure that government makes the necessary changes,” says Commissioner Brian Eyolfson.
Final submissions to the inquiry by Parties with Standing will take place in Ottawa from Dec. 10-14.
The final report is due on April 30, 2019.
