The provincial government needs to act more quickly on a recommendation from the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry to establish a shuttle bus service along the Highway of Tears, two New Democrat MLAs said Wednesday at the end of a two-day tour of Highway 16.
It's been two years since the recommendation was made, said Maurine Karagiannis, the NDP critic for women's issues, "and there doesn't seem to be any excuse to get on with it."
"Vulnerable people are hitchhiking every day in this area," Karagiannis added. "I think it would be really tragic if it takes another death or missing person to get the government going."
Karagiannis, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice and Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James started out from Prince Rupert on Tuesday morning and said they talked to community leaders and groups along the way.
Among his recommendations, Missing Women Inquiry chair Wally Oppal called for an "enhanced public transit system to provide a safer travel option connecting the Northern communities, particularly along Highway 16."
Rice noted that a similar suggestion was made by a Bulkley Valley women's group in 1998. It was also a top recommendation in the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium report, which estimates that seven shuttle buses would be required along the 724-kilometre stretch.
"It's long overdue," Rice said and added that given the economic wealth this region has generated and is projected to produce, community leaders have felt "this was a tangible, doable affordable solution that would help communities along the Highway of Tears."
They accused the governing Liberals of failing to consult with communities and said such a service would be a small price to pay even if it saves just a single life.
In a statement, Justice Minister Suzanne Anton said steps are being taken.
Some local governments have shown an interest in cost-sharing a service between their communities and in those cases, B.C. Transit conducts feasibility studies, Anton noted.
She also said the University of Northern British Columbia and the RCMP are carrying out a study to identify alternatives to hitchhiking and $100,000 has been granted to Carrier Sekani Family Services to hold safety training workshops along Highway 16.
And since 2009, 153 kilometres has been added to the cellular coverage along Highway 16, raising coverage to 70 per cent, Anton said.
"We know this requires a multifaceted approach and that's why our government has been leading or supporting a number of actions to help fulfill the need for safer public transportation in the region," Anton said.
