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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.