Independent judicial inquiry : Quebec must stop counting on Ottawa and must assume its responsibilities

WENDAKE, QC, Dec. 16, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - "The Government of Quebec must assume its responsibilities and order the holding of an independent judicial inquiry on the relations between the police forces and First Nations' members. It must above all stop relying on the federal government for a situation that falls within its jurisdiction", said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. The AFNQL Chiefs unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the Government of Quebec to order an independent inquiry into the relationships between the provincial security forces and members of their communities.

On December 8, 2015, in a letter sent to Premier Philippe Couillard, the Chief of the AFNQL indicated that: "We believe that only an independent judicial inquiry will help to shed light on the relationship between the police and our communities. Only an inquiry, established according to the regulations provided for by the National Assembly, shall have the authority to hear witnesses. We believe this step is inescapable, in a context where extremely serious doubts weigh on the integrity of the Sûreté du Québec in the exercise of its responsibility for public security".

Furthermore, the AFNQL commends the unanimous adoption by the city of Val-d'Or and its mayor Pierre Corbeil, on a resolution calling for an inquiry into discrimination and racism in the public security forces, following revelations in the CBC program Enquête broadcasted on October 23, 2015. It should be remembered that Aboriginal women of the Algonquin and Cree Nations have revealed cases of alleged abuse of powers and physical abuse against them on the part of officers of the Sûreté du Québec.

Moreover, Chief Picard welcomes the willingness of Cree and Algonquin leaders, Grand Chief Matthew Coon-Come of the Cree Nation Government and Chiefs David Kistabish, Salomée McKenzie and Adrienne Anichinapeo of the Algonquin Nation who co-signed yesterday, the Val-d'Or Declaration with Mayor Pierre Corbeil with the objective of promoting a respectful and harmonious coexistence of their respective populations.

About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization of 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador

Mélanie Vincent: [email protected], Cell.: 418-580-4442