Standing Committee on the Status of Women

Comité permanent de la condition féminine

For immediate release

Ottawa, March 15, 2024 -

Trigger warning: The following message contains reference to experiences of violence against Indigenous peoples, in particular, missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people in Canada. If you are feeling distressed and in need of support, a list of resources is included at the end of this message.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women (the Committee) adopted the following motion on Monday, November 27th, 2023:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the committee undertake a study on the implementation of a distinct emergency alert system, hereby called the Red Dress Alert, to notify and ask the public for assistance in finding a missing Indigenous woman, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ including an examination of a most effective and efficient manner to operate, administer, and control such alert system; that a minimum of four meetings be held on this study; and that the committee report its findings to the House.

The Committee will examine the implementation of an emergency alert system, or Red Dress Alert, to assist in locating missing Indigenous women, girls and Indigenous people who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+. The study will focus on examining the ways in which such an alert system should be implemented in Canada. The Committee invites the public to contribute to the study by submitting written briefs.

The Committee’s final report, which will include recommendations to the Government of Canada, will be informed by these written submissions and by witness testimony. The Committee encourages those who submit briefs to include concrete recommendations related to effective approaches to implementing a Red Dress Alert in Canada.

Protecting the privacy of those who submit briefs remains a priority for the Committee. If you wish to submit a written brief anonymously or do not want a brief to be made public, please inform the Clerk of the Committee at fewo@parl.gc.ca, and the necessary arrangements will be made. Written briefs will be publicly available unless otherwise requested.

The deadline for the Committee to receive written briefs from the public, in either official language, is April 11, 2024. Briefs should not exceed two pages (approximately 1,000 words) and should be emailed to the Clerk of the Committee at FEWO@parl.gc.ca or submitted online through the Committee’s study webpage.

Please see the Guide for Submitting Briefs to House of Commons Committees for details and instructions related to written submissions for House of Commons committees. The Committee looks forward to hearing from Canadians on this important topic. The Committee welcomes all Canadians to follow its work on its website, where additional information is provided on the Committee’s meetings and testimony, live proceedings and membership.

Resources:

• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families, at the toll-free number: 1-866-925-4419.

• Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line at the toll-free number: 1-844-413-6649.

• First Nations, Inuit and Métis people seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line at the toll-free number: 1-855-242-3310, or through the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.