VICTORIA – New Democrat women’s critic Maurine Karagianis and aboriginal relations critic Doug Donaldson issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the release of ‘Forsaken: The Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry the Missing Women’s Inquiry’:

“This time last year, the B.C. Liberal government promised British Columbians that they would take substantive action and implement the recommendations of the Missing Women’s Inquiry report. An entire year has now come and gone, and as we mark the one-year anniversary of the Missing Women’s Inquiry report being submitted to government, the B.C. Liberals have sadly accomplished very little. Earlier this month they released an update report showing just how little they have done – to date, none of the 63 recommendations have been fully implemented.

“The provincial government’s lack of action and failure to implement the recommendations shows they still don’t accept the seriousness of this report. Key among the report’s recommendations is the creation of a shuttle service along the notorious Highway of Tears. Bringing in this service would make a significant difference in the lives of women in rural communities by creating safer and affordable transportation options. Despite this recommendation and a 2006 Highway of Tears symposium endorsing the need for public transportation along Highway 16, the government has done nothing and public transportation options remain scarce.

“Along with of our Northern New Democrat colleagues, we urge the B.C. government to live up to its commitment by taking action and making substantive progress on the recommendations of the Missing Women’s Inquiry.”