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I think their lack of initiative just to look into the feasibility of this shows that it’s not a priority for them

A report released by the Justice Ministry last fall said staff had identified potential transportation options for the Highway of Tears and expected to begin consultations soon, though it provided no details.

Anton has insisted the highway is safer than it was 15 years ago and she noted there are several transportation options already in place, including local public transit, Greyhound bus service, rail service and a regional health bus that transports patients from rural communities to medical appointments.

Maurine Karagianis, the Opposition NDP critic for women’s issues, said the Liberal government has done nothing new to improve safety along Highway 16 since the public inquiry report. She also pointed out Greyhound dramatically cut its service last year, which means the situation is actually worse.

“It’s a mystery to me why the government hasn’t made more progress on this,” said Karagianis.

“All of the comments the minister (Anton) has made show how incredibly out of touch she and the government are.”

Terry Teegee, the tribal chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, said he’s disappointed, but not surprised, by the lack of progress on the issue.

“I think their lack of initiative just to look into the feasibility of this shows that it’s not a priority for them,” said Teegee, whose niece, Ramona Wilson, vanished in June 1994 and was found dead 10 months later.

Teegee disputed the government’s claim that the highway is safe.

“There are still women going missing,” he said.

“This (proposed) shuttle service and other things that we are doing are to try to prevent this from happening.”