MMIWG2S+ licence plates to be available in Manitoba in 2023
Manitoba Public Insurance is working on a special licence plate meant to raise awareness on the societal issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people that will be made available to the Manitoba public by the end of the year.
The MLA who originally proposed the idea of a MMIWG2S+ licence plate says, however, that MPI, as directed by the Progressive Conservative government, is carrying out consultation work with families impacted by violence towards indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people that is largely unnecessary.
"This government is duplicating what's already been done," said Point-Douglas MLA Bernadette Smith, who says she spent two years speaking with families on the idea of creating MMIWG2S+ licence plates.
A red dress is one of several designs created for Manitoba's MMIWG2S+ licence plates (Source: Manitoba Public Insurance)
"I'm a direct family member and I've done the work around this issue," said Smith, whose sister, Claudette Osborne-Tyo, has not been seen since 2008.
In a statement provided to CTV News, a spokesperson for MPI said the crown corporation, in partnership with the provincial government, has "sought feedback from Indigenous communities, including affected family members, on several proposed licence plate designs and a final design will be shared in conjunction with the launch of the plate."
The license will cost $70, with $30 from every purchase going towards a designated charity that has not yet been identified.
Both a design and charity have already been chosen by affected families, says Bernadette.
"Families asked for a red hand, that or the red dress," said Smith, adding that families she spoke to suggested funds from the sales of the specialty license plate go towards an education fund for children who have lost their primary caregiver.
A red dress is one of several designs created for Manitoba's MMIWG2S+ licence plates (Source: Manitoba Public Insurance)
MPI expects once their consultations are complete that the MMIWG2S+ licence plates will be available to the general public later this year.
"The license plates could have been in production way sooner," said Smith, "We would probably have the licence plates on cars today had (the province) originally supported the bill."
In October 2022, Smith introduced a private member's bill to create a licence plate to commemorate the victims of violence towards Indigenous Women, Girls, and LGBTQ2S+ people. The Progressive Conservative government did not support the bill when brought to the Legislature floor.
At the time, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said a bill wouldn't be needed to create the plate and directly asked Manitoba Public Insurance to have the plate ready for this summer.
“We would have liked to see this government support this on the floor of the Manitoba Legislature because, ultimately, they signalled to the families in Manitoba that are missing loved one that they don’t support them," said Smith, "For them to direct MPI signals to the families that support isn't there, unfortunately.”
CTV News has reached out to the province for a response but we have not yet heard back.
This is a developing story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.