A North Battleford-sponsored resolution calling for an inquiry or round table on missing and murdered aboriginal women has received the approval of members of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.
The resolution attracted considerable media attention and vigorous debate on the floor of the convention before it was approved by delegates by a decisive margin.
The vote means SUMA has thrown its collective support behind the issue, and will lobby the federal government in support of an inquiry or round table.
North Battleford council passed a similar resolution late last year, as did other municipalities in Saskatchewan and elsewhere.
One of those who pushed for the resolution at SUMA was Councillor Ray Fox. In speaking to the Regional Optimist Fox noted the issue had municipal implications.
"From the community perspective, from the municipalities perspective, it's our police officers that are being tied up in our investigations that are going on," said Fox.
He made the point that it is taxpayers who pay for those investigations. He pointed to the suffering that results from the issue, which he believes means more costs in health care and other areas.
"What are the costs when we don't do anything?" asked Fox, who said, "we're subsidizing the federal government's inability to do something about this problem."
He said he wants to see the Harper government get on with finding solutions.
"All we need from them is some leadership. All we need to be able to do is … sit down and plan a way out of what is a problem in our communities."
The wording called for the "Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association members (to) join with voices in their communities calling for an inquiry or round table on missing and murdered indigenous women; and further be it resolved that the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association lobby the federal government, calling for an inquiry or round table on missing and murdered Indigenous women."
Mayor Ian Hamilton kept busy responding to interview requests on the topic.
"Our council thought this venue," said Hamilton, referring to SUMA "was a great opportunity to extend awareness of this issue as it impacts our community, our province and our country."
It is also an issue that impacts the city directly, as Hamilton noted North Battleford is the hub for eight nearby First Nations.
He saw the resolution as a "call for action" in addressing the "root causes in Aboriginal communities or communities close to aboriginal centres."
The discussion of the North Battleford resolution was among the liveliest of the resolution session, with several speakers for and against the resolution.
Fox spoke in favour of the motion, saying "we got almost tired of talking about it and decided to do something about it."
But there were concerns expressed by some delegates about the wording of the resolution.
One delegate said the resolution should include everyone, not just indigenous women. "Why is this motion aimed towards a certain group and not towards all of our murdered and missing people in our great province?"
There were also a couple of objections to the word "inquiry."
One delegate, Betty Lou Palko from Hudson Bay, said, "I just have a problem with inquiries. They cost us thousands and thousands of taxpayer dollars and I have not seen many of them come up with any conclusions."
Others voiced similar objections to an "inquiry," preferring to see the word "action" used instead.
But the resolution also received powerful support.
Councillor Charlie Clark from Saskatoon spoke in favour, saying Saskatoon had also passed a motion unanimously on the issue, based on the "discussion occurring in our community, and a real desire to figure out across the country, what is it that leads to this phenomenon of 1,100 women across the country who are missing or murdered."
Clark also regarded the motion as a move towards action, and noted there was a consensus that it shouldn't be an inquiry with "a report that sits on a shelf."
Mayor Deb Higgins of Moose Jaw also voiced support. "We do need to join our voices with premiers from across Canada to express a feeling that any of us have as parents, grandparents, that this is unacceptable and more needs to be done, and action taken."
Fox closed the debate by addressing the concerns about the wording, pointing out the resolution called for an "inquiry or round table."
"It doesn't necessarily have to be an inquiry, but we've got to do something," said Fox.
The vote took place with a show of cards from delegates in the room. Despite concerns about the wording, there were no amendments made and the original resolution carried by a wide margin.
The hope was expressed by North Battleford officials that a similar resolution can be brought forward to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention. That convention will happen during the summer.
Hamilton says SUMA's backing of a call for an inquiry or round table will send a strong message to the federal government.
"We speak in this room for 80 per cent of the population of Saskatchewan," said Hamilton. "It should carry some weight to the federal government that we're tired of talking about the issue, we've got to see some action."
