A look at some reaction to the verdict in the Tina Fontaine case in Winnipeg

By The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – A Winnipeg jury has acquitted Raymond Cormier, 56, of the second-degree murder of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine. Here is what some politicians are saying in the wake of the verdict:

“The death of Tina Fontaine was a tragedy and our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends and entire community. Her death galvanized our whole country to demand measures that would stop the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.” — Carolyn Bennett, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, in a statement.

“Shocked and disgusted. Tina is a symbol of MMIWG in our country — and this is the signal Cdn society sends? No justice. No peace. We must stand up to this injustice.” — Niki Ashton, NDP MP for Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, on Twitter.

“Once again justice was not found in the courtroom for a FirstNations child … The trauma and pain this causes for me and all First Nations people across Canada is deep. Systemic injustices require systemic action to change.” — Perry Bellegarde, national chief, Assembly of First Nations, on Twitter.

“There’s no question in my mind that we all failed Tina. And we are all continuing to fail other young Indigenous people in communities across our country. I believe Canada is the greatest country in the world … but until we all confront the shame and tragedy of our country’s racist treatment of Indigenous people we will fall short of that great country we know Canada to be.” — Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, in a statement.

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