Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

IIO review asked to stop in P.G.

The sister of the Canadian military veteran who was shot and killed by an RCMP emergency response team two-and-a-half years ago is asking that a committee of MLAs reviewing the Independent Investigations Office make a stop in Prince George.
Matters-IIO-review.23.jpg
Tracey Matters

The sister of the Canadian military veteran who was shot and killed by an RCMP emergency response team two-and-a-half years ago is asking that a committee of MLAs reviewing the Independent Investigations Office make a stop in Prince George.

"The government needs to look beyond its major cities and extend its services and presence to the rest of the province," Tracey Matters says in a letter to Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris. "The city of Prince George is also a significant location for the IIO and needs to be included in your planning."

The IIO, which investigates police-involved deaths and serious injuries, opened its doors on Sept. 10 2012, the same day Greg Matters, a Canadian military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder was shot and killed during a standoff in Pineview.

The IIO found no criminal wrongdoing in that case and during an emotionally-charged coroner's inquest that that followed, its investigation was a theme for the Matters' family lawyer.

Morris, a former high-ranking RCMP officer, was named chair of a special committee to review the IIO, which consists of eight MLAs covering both the governing Liberals and the opposition New Democrats.

Morris did not return a request for comment Monday.

According to minutes from an April 10 meeting of the committee, the plan is to start a public consultation process in June that would involve sending out a call for submissions as well as scheduling some meetings with key stakeholders.

Morris has also said there will be opportunities for the public to comment online, in writing and in person although where and when public hearings will be held has not yet been decided.