February 25, 2014

VICTORIA— New Democrats have taken the fight for real action to combat violence to the legislature, demanding action on the promised shuttle bus for the Highway of Tears and asking for increased services to combat domestic violence in rural and northern communities.

“We need real action to protect women from violence before it happens,” said Doug Donaldson, the New Democrat MLA for Stikine. “Instead, the B.C. Liberal government is unwilling to take action until after women go missing or are murdered.”

Donaldson called on the government to support services like those offered by the Northern Society for Domestic Peace in Smithers. They give support to men who want to break the cycle of violence in themselves and their families. Unfortunately these services rely on donations and can’t meet demand.

Following on earlier questions from North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix again called on the government to keep their promise to bring in a shuttle bus along the Highway of Tears.

“The B.C. Liberals keep saying they are ‘working on’ bringing in a shuttle along the Highway of Tears, but the only thing that needs working on is the attitude that actions to save the lives of women can wait,” said Rice. “Communities and First Nations have been calling for a shuttle for the last eight years. We’ve waited long enough.”