APTN National News
OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau said he needs to form a cabinet and government before work on an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women can begin.
Trudeau held his first news conference as prime minister designate Tuesday in Ottawa.
On the campaign trail and in a number of sit down interviews with APTN National News, Trudeau promised to call an inquiry into the issue “immediately.”
But when asked by APTN when it may start, Trudeau said there is some work to do first.
“There are a number of initiatives underway now to examine, and I look forward to sitting down with a number of stakeholders and Aboriginal leadership on this including Perry Bellegarde,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau won 184 seats in the Oct. 19 election pushing the Liberals from third place in the House of Commons to a commanding majority government.
He takes with him eight Indigenous candidates including former AFN regional chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, Hunter Tootoo who defeated Conservative cabinet minister Leona Aglukkaq and Robert-Falcon Ouellette who defeated NDP MP Pat Martin in Winnipeg Centre.
Trudeau said he will announce his cabinet on Nov. 4.
@aptnnews
yes I am hoping that Prime Minister Trudeau makes the inquiry of our missing & murdered indigenous woman serious, it is time for the families to get some answers. I am so happy that there has been a big change in our government. Miigwetch – thank you.