Harper Reportedly Denies Saying MMIW Inquiry Wasn't High On

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Harper Reportedly Denies Saying MMIW Inquiry Wasn't High On 'Radar'

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The Huffington Post Canada | By Ryan Maloney

Posted: 09/14/2015 6:58 pm EDT Updated: 09/14/2015 7:59 pm EDT

Stephen Harper told Chatelaine magazine he never said a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women wasn't high on his government's "radar," despite the fact he said those very words during a television interview last year.

In a Q&A interview published Monday, journalist Katrina Onstad noted that the United Nations, First Nations leaders, and Rinelle Harper — the Manitoba 16-year-old left for dead last year — have all called for an inquiry.

"But you have said it isn't 'high on your radar,'" Onstad said. "Why isn't it?"

"I haven't said that at all," Harper replied, according to the magazine.

The Conservative leader said the issue has already been "studied to death" more than 40 times, spurring the government to take action by providing additional resources for prevention and police investigations.

Read the full Chatelaine interview
[ http://www.chatelaine.com/living/politi ... en-harper/ ]

But in a year-end interview with Mansbridge last December, Harper did indeed say an inquiry was not a priority for his government.

"There seems to be some indication that your government may be at least considering some form of formal inquest or inquiry or investigation (into missing and murdered indigenous women)," Mansbridge said to Harper at the time.

"It isn't really high on our radar, to be honest, Peter," Harper replied, before adding that his ministers will continue to have a "dialogue" with those concerned about the issue.

CBC News has video of that interview. The talk of an inquiry begins at the 18:24 mark:
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Harper told Mansbridge his government has brought in strong laws to punish criminals, invested in preventative measures, and enhanced "the legal and social status of women in aboriginal communities" when it comes to matters like matrimonial property rights.

"I would rather spend my time focusing on what actions we can take to improve these situations, prevent these situations, than have more multi-million dollar inquiries," Harper said.

But opposition rivals pounced on the Tory leader's "radar" quip as proof that the government wasn't taking enough action.

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