Group calls out councillor, MP over recent comments

A group that holds annual rallies to raise awareness about murdered and missing women in Canada is taking two local politicians to task for comments made about the issue.

In a joint statement made late Wednesday, Womyn 4 Social Justice Sault Ste. Marie said it was was “disheartened” by comments made by Ward 5 city Councillor Frank Fata and MP Bryan Hayes in regards to calls for an inquiry into murdered and missing aboriginal women.

Fata commented on a SooToday story on the February 18 Womyn 4 Social Justice rally for murdered and missing women, saying in part: “People have to take responsibility for raising their children. If these children were being raised in a healthy environment, they wouldn’t be hitting the trails, hitch-hiking and putting themselves in harm’s way.”

MP Bryan Hayes dismissed a call for a public enquiry during a recent speaking event and said, in part: "What doesn't come out to the public is that of those 1,200 murdered and missing aboriginal women, 90 percent of the cases are solved and we know who the murderers are and this is over a 30-year period, it's not like this happened yesterday."

Hayes blamed “root causes” for the murdered and missing children, but did not expand on what those causes were.

The statement released today by Womyn 4 Social Justice said the organization stands in solidarity with these women and families and they will continue to work for justice and equality.

“Mr. Fata and Mr. Hayes’ implications that families are responsible for the victimization of their daughters are not only naive, but biased and discriminatory.  We sincerely hope that family members and loved ones of these women do not take these comments to heart. These individuals have encountered unimaginable grief and pain and this instance of victim-blaming only adds insult to injury.”

When contacted this morning, Fata said by phone that he often speaks his mind and was approaching this issue with the taxpayer in mind.

“I feel it is important to respect the taxpayer and if something is going to be done I hope it serves a purpose. Studies are not going to solve the problem,” he said.

(FILE PHOTO: A demonstrator holds a sign during the Memorial March for Missing and Murdered Women in Sault Ste. Marie on February 18, 2015. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)