Quebec Conservative candidate backtracks on inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women

A Conservative candidate in Quebec has clarified his position after seeming to contradict leader Stephen Harper in suggesting the party would launch an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal if re-elected.

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I believe, upon our return to power, there is going to be a commission of inquiry that is going to happen.-  Conservative candidate Yvon Boudreau

Yvon Boudreau, running in the riding of Manicouagan, was asked about the idea during a debate in Forestville Tuesday night.

"There is an opening and I believe, upon our return to power, there is going to be a commission of inquiry that is going to happen," Boudreau said.

The comment is at odds with those made by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

In a statement released Wednesday, the party said Boudreau misspoke, and that he was actually making reference to RCMP investigations — and not to an official inquiry.

'Not really on our radar'

The Conservative government rejected repeated calls to call a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

In an interview with CBC's Peter Mansbridge last December, Harper said the idea was "not really on our radar."

"Our ministers will continue to dialogue with those who are concerned about this," Harper told Mansbridge at the time.

In an interview with Maclean's magazine last month, Harper said the government had already done 40 studies on missing and murdered aboriginal women and that the issue had been "studied to death."

He said that's why his government was putting resources into prevention and investigation and into enforcement.

NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau have both promised to launch inquiries into missing and murdered aboriginal women if elected.