Local people can present their views on the missing women of the Lower Mainland without having to leave Prince George. The Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, led by former Supreme Court Justice and past Attorney General Wally Oppal, will be coming to this city, and eight other communities in the North, sometime this fall.
Hearing dates have not been disclosed, but on Friday it was announced by Oppal's office that the hearings would be coming north for personal presentations sometime between Sept. 12 and 22.
"The Commission believes it is important to hear directly from family members who have been most affected by the tragedy of murdered and missing women," said the commission office statement.
"Under its terms of reference, the commission must hold its formal hearings into various aspects of the Robert Pickton case in or near Vancouver. It cannot inquire into ongoing investigations of missing or murdered women, such as the Highway of Tears cases," it also said, deterring those from this area who are more closely affected by the highway cases and those like them. However, the invitation was extended for input on the way the Pickton investigations were conducted as there may be applicable points for all cases.
"The community forums will not be adversarial, individuals will make their presentations directly to the commissioner and although questions may be posed to participants by the commission counsel and the commissioner, there will be no cross examination," the statement explained.
Individuals or organizations interested in participating in one of the forums should register with the Commission by e-mail, telephone or in writing by Sept. 8. Written submissions must be received by the Commission by Nov. 30. Contact information is as follows:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: Toll free 1-877-681-4470
Fax: 604-681-4458
Mail: #1402 - 808 Nelson Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2H2
Presenters should provide their name and contact information and a brief description of what issues they plan to address.
The commission's website is www.missingwomeninquiry.ca with more information.
