http://rabble.ca/news/2010/08/missing-and-murdered-women-vancouver-deser...
I remember in 1999, as a federal MP, raising the issue at my first meeting with the then Attorney General of Canada Martin Cauchon. I asked him: "What would you do if you had 57 women who were missing and presumed murdered in your community? Well, that's what's happening in the Downtown Eastside."He seemed taken aback, and I don't think he really knew anything about what should have been a national concern.
It's so shocking to me that if it was any other identifiable group, like nurses, or students from the University of British Columbia, there would have been a national outcry and a much different response.
Not only is a public inquiry necessary, we also need to have a community-led process that allows the families and the Downtown Eastside community deal with the loss and trauma and the impact on so many lives.