Opposition MPs disappointed by federal budget's progress on red dress alert system

The federal budget's promise to spend $1.3 million to develop a regional missing persons alert for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people falls far short of what's needed, according to opposition MPs on the House of Commons Status of Women committee.

The federal government launched consultations last December to create a national "red dress" alert system which would notify the public when an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit person goes missing.

NDP MP Leah Gazan, who helped to lead those consultations, said she was taken aback by the budget's commitment, which earmarks far less money than the sum it sets aside to tackle auto theft.

"The message is very clear that this country cares more about cars than it does Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+," Gazan said.

The budget proposes spending $1.3 million over three years to co-develop a regional emergency notification system with Indigenous partners as the first phase of the project.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree suggested the alert could be piloted in certain areas of the country, such as Regina or Vancouver.

He told the committee his expectation is that a national system would be developed afterwards, but it will take time.

"This is frustrating in the sense of how long it's taking to move forward," Anandasangaree said.

The Status of Women committee is unanimous across party lines in its support for a red dress alert system.

Bloc Québécois, NDP and Conservative MPs pressed Anandasangaree and other federal officials Thursday evening for faster progress. 

Conservative MP Dominique Vien questioned whether the federal government has the political will to get the job done. 

"What are you waiting for to move forward?" Vien said.

Details still need to be sorted out: minister

While there's a consensus among the provinces and territories in support of a red dress alert system, Anandasangaree said there are details that still need to be sorted out, including criteria and oversight.

He said one of the main hurdles is that law enforcement is the lead provider for most public alert systems.

"The challenge that I'm facing and ... resistance I'm facing from many grassroots Indigenous women's organizations and women who have been working in this for many, many years is an endemic distrust of police," Anandasangaree said.

He said trust needs to be rebuilt.

Anandasangaree said he could not provide a timeline for the alert system but will work with Gazan to develop one. 

"We, as a committee, need to ensure that this government makes this red dress alert a top priority," Conservative MP Anna Roberts said.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Deputy Minister Valerie Gideon said the government needs to take time to engage with Indigenous communities since they're not homogenous and have diverse views on how an alert system should work. 

"In my experience, when the federal government rushes in imposing a solution on Indigenous people, it doesn't work," Gideon said.