More needs to be done to meet MMWI recommendations: BC AG
Posted December 8, 2016 12:26 pm.
Last Updated December 8, 2016 3:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The provincial government has a ways to go to properly bring in all the programs and ideas coming from the Missing and Murdered Women Inquiry made years ago. A report from BC’s auditor general says the lack of dedicated funding and a champion to push progress forward are holding things back.
In a new report, the auditor finds there has been success in some areas. Carol Bellringer says the province has set aside money for the children of these missing women. “The provincial government contributed to a $4.9 million compensation fund for the children of the missing women, but it has not established the healing fund for the families of the missing women.”
Bellringer is concerned there is no point-person making sure funding is there for other recommendations and liaising with families and other stakeholders. The person in the role originally quite after five months and wasn’t replaced. Bellringer’s only recommendation is the province start publicly reporting progress again.
She adds the tragedies of missing and murdered women continues to affect families and communities and the government must continue to keep British Columbians informed of its progress meeting the inquiry’s more than 60 recommendations.
Bellringer feels the government stopped providing public progress reports in 2014, two years after former attorney general Wally Oppal tabled his report.
BC is getting closer to meeting recommendations made by the missing women inquiry, but the auditor general says the file still needs a champion.
In response to the one recommendation made, Justice Minister Suzanne Anton says there has been ongoing reporting, but it’s been more piecemeal instead of one comprehensive submission. But, Anton says the whole-picture reports can resume. “We’ve heard the auditor general and she is expressing an interest in the community that we do a more comprehensive reporting, so we will be doing that.”
She says government may never complete some of the recommendations, like the one which requires better supports for vulnerable women. Anton says there are always improvements to be made here.
