The same day Canada's premiers stood united to take on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the B.C. government's attempt to improve safety on the Highway of Tears was called into question.
On Wednesday, the issue of establishing some sort of bus service along Highway 16 was again raised in the Legislative Assembly.
"RCMP reports have shown that B.C. has the largest number of unsolved cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women, more than any other province, and yet today along that highway, women are still in danger because they have to hitchhike to go get groceries, go to see their social workers, go to work and get back from work," said Maurine Karagianis, Opposition critic for women, seniors and early childhood development, during Question Period in Victoria.
"Why is that? Well, because there is no transit system in their communities."
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the Liberals have acted, in the form of a web portal for information on transportation resources and $75,000 to the Carrier-Sekani Family Services for driver education and licensing programs.
He also cited improvements to cell coverage, transit service that connects a number of communities and the Northern Health bus service.
"This highway corridor is significantly safer today than it was 15 years ago," said Stone.
Women won't be safe along the highway until the government takes action on the Oppal Commission's recommendation to develop a travel option along that route, Karagianis charged.
"If the honourable member would like to share details with us as to how she thinks it would be practical to provide a shuttle service along a 718-kilometres stretch of highway that requires about eight hours from one end to the other, how that would be practical, I am all ears," said Stone.
