Former lieutenant governor Steven Point has resigned as chair of the advisory committee on safety and security of vulnerable women because of lawsuits over the Robert Pickton murders.
Served with notice that anything he said could be fodder in the civil litigation, Point said he had no choice but to step down given the potential legal jeopardy.
“As a consequence of this development I have concluded that it is impossible to continue in my role as special advisor to government in relation to the recommendations by Commissioner (Wally) Oppal in his report on Murdered and Missing Women,” Point said in a letter Wednesday to Justice Minister Shirley Bond.
The resignation of the former provincial court judge and tribal chair of the Sto:lo First Nation is effective May 30.
Point was the province’s royal representative from 2007-2012.
Expressing her regrets, Bond released his letter Friday saying the government, too, must not modify its response to Oppal’s recommendations in light of the legal action.
Children of four victims of Pickton recently filed suit against the infamous imprisoned serial killer, his family, five Mounties, the provincial government and the city of Vancouver.
Although their charges have not been substantiated in court, they argue police should have known the former pig farmer was attacking sex workers in the Downtown Eastside given what they knew about Pickton as early as 1997.
In spite of the risk their mothers faced, the children claim the RCMP and city cops failed to issue warnings.
The suits also allege the investigation was inept and Crown counsel negligent.
“I appreciate the decisions of the four families of missing women who have chosen to pursue civil suits related to the Pickton case, but I am disappointed that the no doubt unintended consequences of these claims have led Mr. Point to conclude that he must step aside,” Bond said.
Point was served with legal notice that in his role as chairman of the committee, which he assumed five months ago, anything he said could be used as evidence.
“This would have placed an impossible burden on Mr. Point to avoid making statements that could be misinterpreted or be used in or influence the course of litigation,” Bond said.
“As well, this pursuit of litigation will impact the government’s current process in responding to the recommendations (from the inquiry) . . . we now have to analyze how we will continue to move forward while the court case is underway.”
