In Conversation with The Honourable Marion Buller re: MMIWG, Additional Miscarriages of Justice, and the Potential of a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income

Appointed: A Canadian Senator Bringing Margins to the Centre

On this episode of Appointed, Senator Pate speaks with The Honourable Marion Buller, Chancellor of the University of Victoria and former Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the first Indigenous woman appointed as a judge in British Columbia.

The two discuss the connections between poverty, violence against Indigenous women and girls, the mass incarceration and institutionalization of Indigenous women, and the overarching violence of colonialism. Chancellor Buller’s years of experience on the bench and as chief commissioner provide invaluable perspective vis-a-vis how to address miscarriages of justice experienced by Indigenous women, including via the Calls for Justice of the MMIWG, the proposed Miscarriage of Justice Reviews Act (Bill C-40), the Senator's report on the Miscarriages of Justices Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women, and Bills C-223 & S-233, both aimed at introducing a framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income in Canada.

MMIWG Call for Justice 4.5 directs the government to implement a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, and 5.14 requires the federal and provincial governments to collaborate on a thorough evaluation of the impact that mandatory minimum sentences have on the over-incarceration of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. Given the manner in which MMPs have contributed to the mass incarceration of racialized people, especially Indigenous women, like the TRC, the MMIWG expected the government to follow through on its commitment to repeal mandatory minimum penalties. Chancellor Buller and Senator Pate speak to the intersections of their work and respective struggles to achieve equality and justice.

Content Warning: this episode mentions violence against women, rape, and murder.

Episode Citations:

Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can be read online here

Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women report can be read online here

Bill C-40: An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews) can be found here
Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here

Bill C-223, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here