A United Nations committee wants Canada to explain why law enforcement agencies have failed to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women.

The U-N Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has issued its concluding observations after reviewing Canada's work on a U-N convention to wipe out discrimination.

Chairwoman Shelagh Day says Canada has one year to report on how it will boost social assistance rates and address the lack of progress on the files of missing and murdered women.

The Committee is also urging Canada to hold an inquiry into the 511 missing or murdered Aboriginal women and to resolve problems with the law enforcement system.