B.C. missing women inquiry to hear applications from 21 groups

Twenty-one groups have applied for standing at a public inquiry into the disappearance of women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside between January 1997 and February 2002.

The groups will make presentations before inquiry commissioner Wally Oppal on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Senior commission lawyer Art Vertlieb says that based on written applications, Mr. Oppal has already granted standing to the Justice Department, which represents the RCMP; the City of Vancouver, which represents the Vancouver Police Department; and Crown Counsel, on behalf of the B.C. government.

Mr. Vertlieb says the hearings will determine whether the various applicants are connected to the issues being examined at the inquiry.

The B.C. government called the inquiry to examine police investigations of women reported missing from the Downtown Eastside, but it will also look at cases of missing women and suspected multiple murders throughout the province.

In addition, the commission will examine the 1998 decision by the Criminal Justice Branch to stop legal proceedings against Robert Pickton on charges of attempted murder, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and aggravated assault.