News Release
June 3, 2025

UBCIC Calls on Prime Minister Carney to Declare Gender-Based Violence a National Epidemic, Six Years after National Inquiry’s Publication

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 3, 2025) Today marks six years since the publication of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Calls to Justice. Despite Canada’s work to address the crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit+ people (MMIWG2S+) under the Federal Pathway[1] and MMIWG2S+ National Action Plan, the devastating impacts of gender-based violence and feminicide continue to overwhelm Indigenous communities.

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is profoundly concerned with the government of Canada’s plans to fast-track national energy and infrastructure projects, similar to the government of B.C.’s recent ramming through of Bill 14 and Bill 15, and implications for the rights of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit+ people. The linkages between extractive industries and increased rates gender-based violence are well documented. In October 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) called upon Canada to prevent and protect Indigenous women from gender-based violence in relation to extractive industries. The economic health of Canada requires a rights-based and gender-based analysis plus approach which upholds Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit+ peoples’ rights to health, security and safety.

We call on the government of Canada to declare gender-based violence a National Epidemic and to expedite the implementation of the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice and CEDAW recommendations. We urge Prime Minister Carney’s new government to approach the MMIWG2S+ human rights crisis with the same urgency and action which are being earmarked for development projects nationally.

UBCIC acknowledges the contributions of the survivors and families who provided testimony to the National Inquiry and all those who continue to fight for its full realization in Canadian policy and legislation.

Mental health resources below.

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

Mental and Emotional Support Services

• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline. If you’re experiencing emotional distress and want to talk, contact the toll-free number at 1-855-242-3310, or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use the chat box on their website.
• KUU Crisis Line Society is a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia. KUU-US Crisis Line can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. Alternatively, individuals can call direct into the Youth Line at 250-723-2040 or the Adult Line at 250-723-4050.
• National 24/7 MMIWG2S+ Support Line 1-844-413-6649 An independent, national, toll-free support call line is available to provide support for anyone who requires assistance. This line is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Battered Women’s Support Services (BC): BWSS offers immediate, short-term help to survivors of violence in intimate relationships, childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual assault. CRISIS LINE 604-687-1867 | Toll Free 1.855.687.1868

[1] The Federal Pathway is the federal government's contribution to the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.