In September 2010, the BC government announced there would be a commission of inquiry into the investigations conducted between January 23, 1997 and February 5, 2002, by police forces in British Columbia respecting women reported missing from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. The Commission will also inquire into the decision of Crown Counsel on January 27, 1998, to enter a stay of proceedings on charges against Robert Pickton of attempted murder, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and aggravated assault
WISH, PACE and SWUAV are three non-profit organizations in the Downtown Eastside that provide direct service to sex workers in this community. These groups came together to apply for paricipant status in the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry. They then retained Ethos lawyer, Katrina Pacey, as their counsel.
On May 3, 2011, Commssioner Wally Oppal QC announced this coalition had been granted full standing to participate in the inquiry, meaning that they have the right to review the evidence, cross-examine witnesses and make submissions. For more information, please visit the Commission of Inquiry website.