The Liberal government will roll out a long-term strategy this year to better protect vulnerable women from abuse and move toward a “violence-free B.C.”
The announcement proved one of the few highlights in a throne speech Tuesday that drew criticism for its lack of vision and substance.
The speech mostly reiterated previous pledges to control spending, open new mines, cash in on liquefied natural gas development and expand skills training.
The speech, read by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, said the anti-violence strategy follows moves by to deal with domestic abuse and missing and murdered women. The strategy will ensure that women “have the supports they need to help prevent violence, to escape from violent situations, and to recover if they have been victims of crime,” the speech said.
But critics greeted the announcement with skepticism and pointed to the government’s slow response to the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.
A report last year showed government had acted on fewer than half the 65 recommendations in the December 2012 report by commissioner Wally Oppal. Of the 28 receiving attention, only three were complete.
“Clearly, the concrete action of this government … is completely contrary to their public statements, which make it seem like token gestures towards addressing violence against women,” said Harsha Walia of the Missing Women Coalition.
“The people who benefited the most from the inquiry were Crown lawyers. … Nothing came back to the community.”
Abbotsford South MLA and criminologist Darryl Plecas, who is leading a “blue ribbon” panel on reducing crime, countered that B.C. has made real strides to improve public safety and will do more to cut the crime rate.
“We know it’s not as low as it needs to be,” he said.
“There’s still those levels of violence and levels of violence against women and women in relationships that we need to eliminate.”
Plecas said the panel will report by June with recommendations on “significant, actionable things that we can do to make a difference. We aren’t talking about tinkering here; we want to be doing things that are truly addressing what people are saying are challenges.”
Meanwhile, the throne speech promised to develop a 10-year transportation plan that identifies areas in need of investment.
The government also pledged to enhance the Industry Training Authority and link young people and older workers with new opportunities with the help of a 10-year skills training plan.
In addition, the speech re-stated earlier commitments to lay out an LNG tax framework, enact changes to liquor laws and introduce a new act to protect the province’s groundwater supply.
Clark said the speech reflected the promises she made in last year’s election.
“I think if I can be accused of anything, it would be unwavering consistency,” she said.
But NDP leader Adrian Dix said the speech revealed a government without anything to say and that seems “absolutely bankrupt” of ideas.
“That throne speech is about a government that has given up on a better future of British Columbia and is only focused on its own political future,” he said.
