Lack of support over Highway of Tears initiatives draws anger from opposition

The two NDP members of the legislature from the Northwest, Gary Coons and Robin Austin have raised their concerns over the lack of governmental action in the cases of the Highways of Tears.

While the investigations into the numerous disappearances continue, under a low profile, the opposition is wondering what has happened to the many recommendations of the Highway of Tears Symposium Report.

It was a much heralded discussion session that spawned the report, which has seen little in the way of follow up since it was released.

The Daily News outlined the local MLA’s concerns as a front page piece in Thursday’s paper.

ANGRY COONS SLAMS VICTORIA FOR HIGHWAY OF TEARS EFFORTS

By Kris Schumacher ,
The Daily News
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Pages one and three

Sparks flew in the B.C. Legislature this week as North Coast MLA Gary Coons blasted the government over their lack of support for the Highway of Tears Initiative.

New Democrat MLAs have been hounding the province for months about what they see as government inaction toward providing funding to protect women's safety and support for the families of the victims along the Yellowhead Highway 16. But Coons said he is not about to let the government ignore their responsibility to further address the issue, and proved so on Monday in Victoria.

"It is shameful that this government had abandoned women of Northern B.C.," Coons told the legislature.

“The victims’ families do not deserve to be abandoned by an uncaring government.”
Coons’ comments are the most recent in a long line of criticism by the NDP over the way the government has handled the mounting crisis of women who have either disappeared or been killed while hitchhiking along the stretch of highway from Prince Rupert to Prince George.
Skeena MLA Robin Austin and Coons also sent a letter to Solicitor General John Les on Monday requesting that the funding and support to initiatives that will hopefully improve the future safety of women in the region.

“It is time for the provincial government to take the file seriously and provide meaningful support to the Highway of Tears project,” said Austin and Coons in the letter.

“The government’s lack of support is having a devastating effect on this crucial project. The Highway of Tears has not disappeared, and neither should government funding. It’s time that we take back the Highway before another family grieves the loss of a daughter.”

In their letter to the solicitor general, the MLA’s requested immediate funding for two coordinator positions for the project, and they ask for funding for the full set of recommendations as listed in the Highway of Tears Symposium Report.

The letter also requests funding for an additional position of an event coordinator as recommended by Carrier-Sekani Family Services.

Last month, it seemed as if Lisa Krebs, who holds the only paid position in charge of implementing recommendations along of the Highway of Tears, would be out of a job after government didn’t renew funding for her salary. It wasn’t until the last minute that Carrier Sekani Family Services, out of whose offices Krebs works, announced they would be funding her salary and work for a second year. However, even with Krebs on the job, Coons and Austin are adamant that the job is too large for just one person.

“This is a tragic, ongoing story of disappearing women in our northern communities. The Public Safety Minister has forgotten all about the Highway of Tears Project and ignored requests for funding,” Coons continued in the legislature Monday. “The community has made it clear they need this project to improve both the safety of women who travel on Highway 16, and to provide real support to the families of victims who have been murdered.”

The positions and recommendations from the Highway of Tears Symposium focus on victim prevention and support for victims and families, including counseling services and a shuttle service for safe travel between each town and city along the highway.