Quebec First Nations chief calls for independent inquiry into Val-d'Or allegations

The chief of the assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador iscalling for an independent inquiry into the actions of provincial police officers working in Val-d'Or.

Ghislain Picard says an investigation into the allegations, including those detailedlast week on Radio-Canada's investigative program Enqute,should not be led by another police force.

"If there are other cases of abuse by the force, the fear is that the victims aren't going to come out and make a complaint," Picard told CBC Montreal's Daybreakon Monday.

Picardalsosaidthe allegations raise questions about the relationship between police and aboriginal people across the province.

• More aboriginal women allege abuse by police in Val-d'Or, Que.
• March held in Val-d'Or for aboriginal women alleging Quebec police sex abuse

Several women have accusedQuebec provincial policeofficers of sexual assault and abuse of power.

According to the women, police officers routinely picked up thosewho appeared to be intoxicated, drove them out of town and left them to walk home in the cold.

SinceEnqute aired last Thursday, the eight officers alleged of wrongdoinghave either been put on leave or transferred to administrative duty.

Aninvestigation into the matter, originally launched last May,was transferred last week from the Sret du Qubec to Montreal police after more serious allegations were levelled onEnqute.

Waiting on Ottawa?

The oppositionPartiQubcoishasalso called for an independent inquiry.

But the Quebec government says any examination should be done aspart ofa countrywide inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, which was promised by prime minister-designate JustinTrudeau.

"Anything we do in Quebec has to be complimentary to what the federal government is going to do," QuebecAboriginal Affairs MinisterGeoffreyKelley told Daybreak.

Kelley said the Montrealpolice force was brought into provide "reassurance" to the population the investigationwould be conducted fairly, adding thatFirst Nations and police have historically not had "an easy relationship."

"We have to sit down and restore confidence in our police forces, because that's what we need in our society,"he said.

He added thatthe Quebec government plans to set up an independent body by early next year that will be ableto investigate allegations against police.

After meeting with local leaders and residents on the weekend, Kelley saidthe province needs to find ways to improve the situation there quickly.

The chiefs of Quebec'sFirst Nations will meet inVal-d'Or, a community of some 31,000 people located about 433 kilometres northwest of Montreal,tomorrow.