B.C. attorney general to announce terms of reference, commissioner for Pickton inquiry

The B.C. government is set to reveal details about the terms of reference and the commissioner appointed for a public inquiry into the case of convicted serial killer Robert Pickton.

Attorney general Michael de Jong is scheduled to make the announcement tomorrow morning (September 28) during a news conference in downtown Vancouver.

On September 9, the provincial government announced there would be a public inquiry into the investigation that led to Pickton’s conviction on six counts of second-degree murder and how missing women cases are pursued.

The announcement came shortly after the public release of a detailed internal Vancouver police report that highlighted failures by both city police and the RCMP in handling the Pickton case.

Wayne Leng, the founder of missingpeople.net, a website dedicated to women missing from the Downtown Eastside, welcomed the inquiry.

“I want to find out what happened within the Vancouver Police Department and within the RCMP,” he told the Straight today by phone from Calgary. “I want to find out why, for so many years, nothing was done.”

Leng, a former Vancouver resident, was friends with Sarah de Vries, who went missing in 1998. He said he hopes police participate openly and honestly in the inquiry.

Both Vancouver police and the RCMP have welcomed the inquiry.

Under provincial legislation, a public inquiry can be designated in two ways: as a study commission with a focus on public policy, and as a hearing commission, which can make findings of misconduct.

Comments

5 Comments

glen p robbins

Sep 27, 2010 at 7:29pm

I wonder if the Solicitor General, BC's top cop will approve of the Attorney General's selection, given the Inquiry will involve both city and federal police?

glen p robbins

Sep 28, 2010 at 7:48am

The BC Liberal government picked former BC Liberal Attorney General Wally Oppal to oversee the Pickton Inquiry.

I knew when the news started turning against anti-HST organizers - Spector/Paulsen - Palmer-that the distraction was getting set.

An incredibly ridiculous and inappropriate choice. Someone from outside the province of BC ought to have been brought in for this.

Next we'll see Lara Daphinne head of Treasury.

Politics in this province has gone to hell - and everyone should be extremely concerned.

glen p robbins

Sep 28, 2010 at 10:06am

Oppal had participation through the Appeal process following the conviction of Pickton for second degree murder - explained at the time as "strategic". Nevertheless, any participation by any jurist over any part of the process - however benign it might have been - certainly is sufficient to make that person (Oppal) a thoroughly inappropriate choice to conduct the Inquiry now.

In my opinion, a relatively weak Mike de Jong (Attorney General and Solicitor General) post Kash Heed 'news' about Solicitor General matters (RCMP-yesterday) - when Heed isn't Solicitor General -- and introduction of Oppal (does he need the $$?) former Attorney General - looks like more BC Liberal political confusion on top of other political confusion--and not an earnest attempt to perform an important inquiry about relating to the disturbing deaths of 40-50 women or more.

This is all as crazy as campbell - as the saying goes.

Where in the name of Joe and Mary is Leonard Krog - BC NDP Attorney General critic???

beelzebub

Sep 28, 2010 at 11:41am

Independence, credibility, and acumen should be the criteria for the selection. Unfortunately this is not the case here. Now that Mr. Braidwood is finished with his present duties, perhaps he would be available for this one?

unknown sample

Sep 28, 2010 at 12:31pm

i smell a conflict of interest.