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2022 Winnipeg serial killings

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Between March and May 2022, four Indigenous-Canadian women, Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman referred to as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe (or Buffalo Woman), were murdered by Jeremy Skibicki. He was charged for the murders on December 1, 2022.[1] On July 11, 2024, he was found guilty on all four counts of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to four life sentences in August 2024.

Investigations by Global News and CBC News revealed that Skibicki had a pattern of spousal abuse, with two previous partners having been allegedly assaulted, threatened, and raped by Skibicki. Both partners were of Indigenous (Métis) descent. Further investigations of Skibicki's Facebook account revealed a pattern of misogynistic, violent, anti-semitic, and white supremacist behaviour.[2]

The killings prompted an emergency debate in the House of Commons regarding the ongoing epidemic of violence against Indigenous women and girls. A motion proposing the creation of a "Red Dress Alert" by MP Leah Gazan was unanimously adopted by the House of Commons, citing the murders in a letter to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendocino.[3][4] Ahead of the 2023 Manitoba general election, the ruling Progressive Conservatives campaigned against searching the landfill for the remains of Myran and Harris.[5][6][7] The Progressive Conservatives would lose the 2023 election to the New Democrats, who promised a search for the women's remains at the Prairie Green Landfill if elected.[8]

Victims

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Four individuals are thought to have been victims of Skibicki. Three of the four were Indigenous women, and the fourth individual is thought to additionally be of Indigenous ancestry.[9] Family members of several of the women stated that they were homeless at the time.[10]

Rebecca Stacey Contois (January 27, 1998[11] – May 14–15, 2022) was a member of the O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation and lived in Winnipeg at the time. She was 24 years old[12] and a mother of one.

Morgan Beatrice Harris (1982 or 1983 – c. May 1, 2022) was a member of the Long Plain First Nation and lived in Winnipeg at the time. She was 39 years old. Harris was last seen in the area of Winnipeg's Main Street and Henry Avenue.[12]

Marcedes Myran (November 9, 1995[13] – May 4, 2022) was a member of the Long Plain First Nation and lived in Winnipeg at the time. She was 26 years old and a mother of two.[13][14] Myran was last seen in the North End neighborhood of Winnipeg.[12]

Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe/Buffalo Woman was an unidentified woman of possible Indigenous descent. She was thought to be in her mid twenties and living in Winnipeg at the time.[15][12] She was previously referred to as "Jane Doe" or as an unidentified victim, but discussions among advocates and Indigenous elders led to the adoption of the name "Buffalo Woman", which the Winnipeg police adopted.[16] The name was given to refer to the buffalo spirit which gave her name to individuals who had not received a spirit name in order to know one another, and allow for the acknowledgement of Buffalo Woman by the spirit realm.[16][15] Buffalo Woman was thought to have worn a Baby Phat brand reversible brand jacket with a fur hood.[1]

Perpetrator

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Jeremy Skibicki
Born
Jeremy Anthony Micheal Skibicki

1986 or 1987 (age 36–37)
Criminal chargesFirst-degree murder (4 counts)

Jeremy Anthony Micheal Skibicki was charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Contois, Myran, Harris, and Buffalo Woman. A representative for Skibicki stated that his client would plead not guilty.[15] Skibicki admitted to the murders but entered a not criminally responsible plea. On July 11, 2024, the plea was denied, and he was found guilty for the murders.[17]

Skibicki has a documented history of abuse against his partners. In June 2015, Skibicki was convicted following the assault of his common-law partner. The woman, who was pregnant at the time, was strangled by Skibicki and was punched repeatedly in the face. Skibicki threatened to kill the woman if she attempted to call the police. The woman filed for a protection order but the order was dismissed. Skibicki allegedly expressed violent fantasies towards his previous partner, and had smothered his partner so hard that her teeth began bleeding. He was sentenced to two months in prison and two years probation for the assault.[18] In 2019, Skibicki's then-wife filed a protection order against him at their first wedding anniversary.[19][2] In 2021, Skibicki was charged with disobeying court orders, threatening her, and assaulting her with a deadly weapon.[2] Skibicki told his then-wife that he would kill, torture, traffic, or abduct her. She had alleged that she was abused by her husband, including having been raped by him while she was asleep and suffocated with a pillow.[18] In May 2022, his then-wife filed paperwork for a divorce.[19] Another assault charge against him, for allegedly attacking his spouse, was stayed. Both of Skibicki's previous partners were Indigenous, and were of Métis descent.[18]

Following an investigation by CBC News, it was found that Skibicki's personal Facebook page contained violent material, in addition to antisemitic, misogynistic, and white supremacist material.[2] Skibicki described himself as a member of "Holy Europe",[1] the "Alliance of Patriotic Parallel Movements of European Folks" (APPMEF), a far-right organization which promotes the belief that white Europeans need to preserve their bloodlines from being diluted by race-mixing, multiculturalism, and immigration.[2]

Timeline

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The killings were committed between the months of March and May 2022.[15] Police believe Buffalo Woman was killed on March 15, 2022.[12][1][20] Marcedes Myran's last contact with her family took place around this time.[20]

Investigators believe that Harris was killed on May 1, 2022,[1] the day she was last seen alive.[12][20]

Police suspect that Myran was killed on May 4, 2022.[12][1][20] Myran's family reports her as missing on September 26, 2022, following reluctance by the family in finding out something may have happened to her.[20]

Police allege that Contois was killed either on May 14 or on May 15, 2022.[20]

On May 16, 2022, Rebecca Contois' partial remains were found in a garbage bin near an apartment complex in Winnipeg's North Kildonan neighborhood.[21] In the ensuing search on June 2, 2022, further remains of Contois were found at the Brady Road Landfill.[12][21] Skibicki was charged by authorities on May 18, 2022, for the killing of Contois.[1][22][9][20]

On May 24, 2022, authorities issued an alert asking for help in finding Harris.[12]

On December 1, 2022, police announced that Skibicki was charged with three counts of first degree murder for the additional killings of Harris, Myran, and Buffalo Woman.[12][20] Skibicki appeared in court on December 2, 2022; his case would go directly to trial without holding a preliminary hearing.[23]

On November 6, 2023, in a pretrial hearing, Skibicki pleaded not guilty and made a motion that the trial should be heard by a judge rather than a jury, a motion that the Crown opposed.[24] On January 24, 2024, a judge ruled that Skibicki did not have a right to a trial before a judge without the Crown's consent.[25]

Investigation

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Authorities discovered Contois' partial remains on May 16, 2022, in a "horrifically grisly scene" in garbage bins behind Mar Joy Apartments in North Kildonan, Winnipeg.[19] It was believed that as part of the residential pickup, some of Contois' remains had been transported to the Brady Road landfill.[1]

Authorities began searching the Brady Road landfill for the rest of Contois' remains on June 2, 2022, following the lighting of a sacred fire. They were joined by authorities from the Ka Ni Kanichihk's Medicine Bear Counselling Program and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's missing, murdered and Indigenous women and girls liaison unit.[21] On June 21, 2022, some of Contois' remains were found at the Brady Road landfill.[1][20]

Prairie Green Landfill, a site where the remains of both Myran and Harris' remains are suspected to lie, was closed down briefly in June 2022. The fact was not disclosed publicly until it was shared publicly by a group tasked to oversee a feasibility study on the recovery of the remains.[20] Homicide investigators determined on June 20, 2022, that it was likely that the two's remains would be in the Prairie Green Landfill.[20]

Police announce on December 6, 2022, that it would not be feasible to search the site for the bodies of Myran and Harris.[20] Premier Heather Stefanson called for operations on the landfill to be paused on December 8, 2022, but announced on December 15 that only a single cell's activities were paused following an announcement on December 8.[20] The federal government announced on December 15, 2022, that it will cover the cost for an Indigenous-led feasibility study on the recovery of the remains at the landfill. Stefanson pledged support for the study the following day.[20] The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who oversee the feasibility study, states that a search can be undertaken as early as April 2023.[20]

Discovery of Linda Mary Beardy's body

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The body of Linda Mary Beardy was discovered at the Brady Road Resource Management Facility on April 4, 2023, and reported to authorities. Beardy was a member of the Lake St. Martin First Nation and lived in Winnipeg before her death.[26][27][28] Her death initially raised suspicions that there was a connection to the deaths of Skibicki's four other victims, who were suspected to be located at nearby landfills, as some of Contois' remains were found at the same site as Beardy's.[26] Beardy's discovery renewed calls for searches of the landfills by the families of Skibicki's victims.[27][29]

Winnipeg Police later determined that Beardy was not a victim of homicide, after witnesses reported seeing her climbing into a garbage bin, which was later picked up by a truck, hours before her body was found.[30] Police chief Danny Smyth stated there were "no other injuries that suggest any kind of foul play."[30] Beardy's family released a statement criticizing the approach Winnipeg police took in their transparency and expressed concerns that the Winnipeg police "may not be compelled to complete a thorough investigation."[30]

Reactions

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Law enforcement

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Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth stated in a press conference that it was unsettling whenever there is any kind of serial killing,[1] highlighting that the women were Indigenous and stating "We’re very sensitive to the whole missing and murdered Indigenous women investigation and inquiry and the recommendations that came out of that."[31]

Government reactions

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Members of Parliament Leah Gazan (left) and Niki Ashton (right) called for an emergency debate following the revelation of the killings

Winnipeg mayor Scott Gillingham stated "condolences are not strong enough"[31] and that the women were "members of our community ... someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's mother, someone's friend"[1] in a press conference that there was much more work to be done in protecting Indigenous women and girls, highlighting the vulnerability caused by homelessness, addiction, and poverty.[22][9]

Members of Parliament Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) proposed an emergency debate in the House of Commons of Canada on the issue of MMIWG2S+ and called for further resources to support vulnerable women following the revelation Skibicki had allegedly killed multiple Indigenous women. The request for a debate was not granted.[32] Gazan stated: "While the government stalls in providing resources, Indigenous women and girls and two-spirit continue to be murdered." Gazan pressed the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Marc Miller on the decision by the Winnipeg police not to search the Brady Road landfill for the bodies of the three missing Indigenous women, of which Miller remarked that he found the decision "very puzzling".[23] Miller stated his intention to meet with Harris's family, while Gazan met with the families of Harris and Wilson, along with other Indigenous leaders, in a press conference.[32]

Date Debates MP Riding In office Party Hansard
May 30, 2022 No. 77 (44-1) MP Leah Gazan Winnipeg Centre 2019–present NDP Hansard[33]
• Gazan states that the system has failed Contois.
December 2, 2022 No. 140 (44-1) MP Leah Gazan Winnipeg Centre 2019–present NDP Hansard[34]
• Gazan receives news of the murders and urges the government to come up with a response.
December 5, 2022 No. 141 (44-1) MP Niki Ashton Churchill—Keewatinook Aski 2008–present NDP Hansard[35]
• Ashton discusses Skibicki's ties to Neo-Nazism and calls for a comprehensive federal response.
December 5, 2022 No. 141 (44-1) MP Leah Gazan Winnipeg Centre 2019–present NDP Hansard[36]
• Gazan calls for an emergency debate regarding the MMIWG2S crisis in response to the killings.
December 7, 2022 No. 142 (44-1) MP Marci Ien Toronto Centre 2020–present Lib. Hansard[37]
• Ien honours the four victims in the context of gender-based violence.
December 7, 2022 No. 142 (44-1) MP Leah Gazan Winnipeg Centre 2019–present NDP Hansard[38]
• Gazan discusses Skibicki's beliefs and their consequences.
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Andréanne Larouche Shefford 2019–present BQ Hansard[39]
• Larouche discusses Skibicki's beliefs and the causes for the violence Indigenous women and girls face.
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Leah Gazan Winnipeg Centre 2019–present NDP Hansard[40]
• Gazan shares a speech from Cambria Harris, Morgan Harris' daughter.
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Jagmeet Singh Burnaby South 2019–present NDP Hansard[41]
• Singh calls for urgent action regarding the MMIWG2S crisis.
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Kevin Lamoureux Winnipeg North 2010–present Lib. Hansard[42]
• Lamoureux discusses the case in relation to the death of Tina Fontaine
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Jenny Kwan
MP Lori Idlout		 Vancouver East
Nunavut		 2015–present
2021–present		 NDP Hansard[43]
• Kwan discusses the serial killing in relation to Indigenous killings in the Downtown Eastside
• Idlout discusses the violence and resulting effects of ongoing colonialism
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Laila Goodridge Fort McMurray—Cold Lake 2021–present Cons. Hansard[44]
• Goodridge discusses the deaths in relation to the death of Amber Tuccaro and other MMIWG2S cases in her district
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Michelle Ferreri Peterborough—Kawartha 2021–present Cons. Hansard[45]
• Ferreri calls on the Liberals to take action regarding the killings
December 7, 2022 No. 143 (44-1) MP Jenica Atwin Fredericton 2021–present Lib. Hansard[46]
• Atwin notes the Canadian government's failures in implementing the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's calls to action
December 9, 2022 No. 145 (44-1) MP Peter Julian New Westminster—Burnaby 2004–present NDP Hansard[47]
• Julian calls for further housing for unhoused Indigenous people and states that "we will fight to honour their memories."

MLA for Point Douglas Bernadette Smith, whose sister went missing in 2008, supported the decision to refer to one of the victims as "Buffalo Woman". Smith attended a vigil for missing and murdered Indigenous women held following the announcement of further victims.[16][15] Shadow Justice Minister Nahanni Fontaine expressed on her Twitter account that community members were feeling "rage, despair, disgust and unspeakable sadness" following the arrest of Skibicki, who she described as a "monster". Fontaine asked "When will the protection of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited be taken seriously? Winnipeg now has the distinction of having two separate serial killers of Indigenous women. Are we waiting for a third or fourth to rear their murderous heads?"[31]

Indigenous leaders

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Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents two of the reserves that the victims were from,[31] stated: “We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as you grapple with the news that your loved ones have been taken from us in such a violent way.”[12]

Kyra Wilson, Chief of the Long Plain First Nation, where Harris and Myran were from, called for further support for Indigenous women, two-spirit, and gender diverse individuals, in addition to support due to the deaths of two community members.[31] Wilson highlighted the disproportionate violence committed towards Indigenous women for many generations.[12]

The Assembly of First Nations, which was holding a special chief's assembly in Ottawa, held a moment of silence in honour of the victims and their families on December 6, 2022.[32]

Community reactions

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A candlelight vigil was held outside of Skibicki's home on December 1, 2022, for individuals grieving the loss of the women and other loved ones.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bergen, Rachel (1 December 2022). "3 First Nations women, 1 unidentified woman were victims of alleged serial killer: Winnipeg police". CBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bergen, Rachel (7 June 2022). "Accused killer's allegedly hate-filled online presence should be factored into investigation, trial: experts". CBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  3. ^ Seebruch, Nick (5 May 2023). "Red Dress Alert motion receives unanimous support from MPs". rabble.ca. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  4. ^ Taylor, Stephanie (22 February 2023). "Manitoba MP urges federal government to create 'Red Dress Alert' for missing Indigenous women and girls". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  5. ^ Kives, Bartley (25 September 2023). "PCs make opposition to landfill search a central facet of campaign as Manitoba election day nears". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  6. ^ Lambert, Steve (4 October 2023). "Ads opposing landfill search 'deeply regrettable,' says Manitoba PC cabinet minister who lost seat". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  7. ^ Martens, Kathleen (3 October 2023). "First Nations PC candidate won't challenge party on landfill search". APTN News. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  8. ^ Thompson, Sam (4 October 2023). "Manitoba NDP will stick to landfill promise, MLA says". Global News Winnipeg. Corus Entertainment. Global News. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Canadian man charged with murdering four Indigenous women". The Guardian. Associated Press. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  10. ^ Allen, Jenn (3 December 2022). "Main Street Project honours 50 years of service in Winnipeg and prepares for another busy night at the shelter". CBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2022. Some family members of the four women allegedly killed by Skibicki say their loved ones were homeless when they died.
  11. ^ "Obituary for Rebecca Stacey Contois". Eternal Grace Funerals. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Gibson, Shane (1 December 2022). "Man arrested in Rebecca Contois murder charged with 3 more homicides: Winnipeg police". Global News. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Marcedes Myran "Sadiez" Obituary 2022". McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  14. ^ Browne, Rachel (20 February 2024). "A Killer Among Them". Maclean's. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e Cecco, Leyland (6 December 2022). "Canada: unidentified victim of alleged serial killer given name Buffalo Woman". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  16. ^ a b c "Unidentified victim of alleged Winnipeg serial killer will be known as Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe or Buffalo Woman". CBC News. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  17. ^ Durrani, Temur (July 11, 2024). "Admitted serial killer found guilty in the first-degree murders of four Indigenous women in Winnipeg". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Bergen, Rachel (7 December 2022). "Alleged Winnipeg serial killer threatened to kill 2 previous partners, court records reveal". CBC News. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  19. ^ a b c "Estranged wife has protection order against man charged in killing of 24-year-old". CBC News. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Gowriluk, Caitlyn (11 December 2022). "A timeline of what we know about 4 slain Winnipeg women and alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b c "Police begin search of Winnipeg landfill for remains of homicide victim found dead in May". CBC News. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  22. ^ a b Burnside, Tina (2 December 2022). "Alleged serial killer in custody and charged in killings of 4 Indigenous women in Canada, police say". CNN. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  23. ^ a b Andrews, Ben (5 December 2022). "NDP MPs call on feds to step up after Winnipeg police charge man with multiple murders". CBC. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  24. ^ Gowriluk, Caitlyn (2023-11-06). "Lawyer for alleged Winnipeg serial killer argues that judge should hear his case, not a jury". CBC News. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  25. ^ Gowriluk, Caitlyn (2024-01-24). "Man accused of killing 4 Indigenous women must face jury, Manitoba judge rules". CBC News. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  26. ^ a b Hoye, Bryce (4 April 2023). "Body of Lake St. Martin First Nation mother, 33, found at Winnipeg landfill". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  27. ^ a b Martens, Kathleen (4 April 2023). "Remains of First Nations woman discovered in Winnipeg landfill: police". APTN News. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  28. ^ Unger, Danton (4 April 2023). "'My heart breaks': Indigenous mother's body found in Winnipeg landfill". CTV News Winnipeg. Bell Media. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Calls to search Winnipeg-area landfills renewed after Lake St. Martin First Nation woman's body found". Yahoo News. CBC News. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  30. ^ a b c Hobson, Brittany; Lambert, Steve (7 April 2023). "No evidence of homicide in case of woman's remains found in Winnipeg landfill: police". CityNews Toronto. Rogers Sports & Media. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  31. ^ a b c d e f Cecco, Leyland (2 December 2022). "'Rage, despair, disgust': Canada reels from killings of Indigenous women". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  32. ^ a b c Fraser, David (6 December 2022). "Indigenous women call on federal government to act in light of Winnipeg killings". Okotoks Today. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  33. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 77 at 1135 MP Leah Gazan. May 30, 2022.
  34. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 144, No 57 at 1410 MP Leah Gazan. December 2, 2022.
  35. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 141 at 1430 MP Niki Ashton. December 5, 2022.
  36. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 141 at 1535 MP Leah Gazan. December 5, 2022.
  37. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 142 at 1004 MP Marci Ien. December 6, 2022.
  38. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 142 at 1020 MP Leah Gazan. December 6, 2022.
  39. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 1910 MP Andréanne Larouche. December 7, 2022.
  40. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 1825 MP Leah Gazan. December 7, 2022.
  41. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 1950 MP Jagmeet Singh. December 7, 2022.
  42. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 2000 MP Kevin Lamoureux. December 7, 2022.
  43. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 2005 MP Jenny Kwan. December 7, 2022 and at 2205 MP Lori Idlout. December 7, 2022
  44. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 2010 MP Laila Goodridge. December 7, 2022.
  45. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 2050 MP Michelle Ferreri. December 7, 2022.
  46. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 143 at 2110 MP Jenica Atwin. December 7, 2022.
  47. ^ Canada, Parliament, House of Commons Debates, 44th Parl, 1st Sess, Vol 151, No 145 at 1100 MP Peter Julian. December 9, 2022.


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