Political parties being criticized for failing to include the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in their election platforms

BC's three main political parties are being criticized for failing to include the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in their election platforms.

A coalition of 18 groups, including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, has sent a letter to the New Democrat, Liberal and Green leaders expressing ``grave concern and disappointment'' about the lack of any policies to implement the findings of a national inquiry into murdered and missing women.

The coalition says the COVID-19 pandemic proves governments can move quickly when lives are at risk, yet the failure to act on missing and murdered women signals the lives of the victims ``lack value.''

The groups urge the parties to explain how they would create and fund an action plan to implement the findings of the national inquiry.