On Oct. 12, Missing Women's Commission Inquiry commissioner Wally Oppal, QC, requested a one-year extension to the Dec. 31, 2011 deadline.

In response to this request for additional time, government will be extending the deadline for the final report of the commission of inquiry to June 30, 2012, Attorney General Shirley Bond announced today.

Government agreed to an extension of six months, to give the commission sufficient time to complete the evidentiary hearings currently underway, fully consider all evidence received and develop the final report with recommendations.

This extension will be incremental to the commission's current budget. To date, government has invested $2.5 million to support the commission.

The commission began evidentiary hearings in Vancouver Oct. 11. In addition, seven community forums were held Sept. 12 to 15 in northern B.C. as part of the informal study commission portion of the inquiry.

Contact:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Attorney General
250 387-4962
250 889-5945 (cell)