Lessons must be learned from failures of missing women’s inquiry: rights groups

VANCOUVER – Three B.C. human rights organizations are jointly panning the Missing Women’s Inquiry as a failure even before the inquiry’s report and recommendations are handed to the province.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, Pivot Legal Society and West Coast LEAF all contend the inquiry was a missed opportunity to include the voices of the marginalized women.

The inquiry was called more than two years ago to probe why serial killer Robert Pickton was able to hunt women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for so long and the inquiries findings are due to be released in two weeks.

The groups have written their own report offering recommendations for how future inquiries should be held, including consulting with the groups most affected during every stage of the process and prioritizing funding for more balanced representation.

Some 15 groups representing the interests of marginalized people such as sex workers were initially granted standing at the inquiry but pulled out of the process in protest after being denied funding.

The commission has been given several extensions but is scheduled to deliver its findings to B.C.’s attorney general by Nov. 30.