MMIWG licence plates expected this year

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This article was published 28/03/2023 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Specialty licence plates in honour of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls are expected to be available this year.

Manitoba has about a dozen specialty plates, which cost $70, for groups such as the Winnipeg Humane Society and Blue Bombers football club. Part of the cost — $30 — goes to the designated charity.

MPI said Tuesday it is leading the development of the MMIWG specialty plate in partnership with the provincial government.

“As part of this important work, the corporation 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,” a spokeswoman said.

MPI said it anticipates the plate will be available later this year.

The charity that will benefit from the plate has not yet been decided.

NDP MLA Bernadette Smith brought forward the idea of the commemorative licence plate about two years ago. She suggested raising money for education of the family members of missing or murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people.

Last fall, Smith introduced a private member’s bill to have the province amend the Drivers and Vehicles Act to make way for the specialty plates, which she suggested would be designed with a red hand or a red dress. Those designs were determined after consultation with families, Smith said.

However, Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen, who is also the minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance, said a legislative change wasn’t necessary. He directed MPI to have the licence plate ready by this summer.

Smith suggested Tuesday the Tory government didn’t want to publicly support a bill connected to her party.

She said further consultation isn’t needed.

“So they’re dragging out the process by doing that, because I’ve done tons of work and I’m a family member as well. They could’ve just taken the work that I did and put that into play, and we probably would’ve had those plates already coming out. They could be on vehicles today as we speak,” Smith said.

Smith said she hopes families will be involved in the selection process to choose a charitable organization. Her discussions with families revealed many supported the funds going to an Indigenous organization that could set up a trust that would help pay higher education costs.

“Resoundingly, they wanted that money to go towards an education fund for the children who have been left behind,” Smith said.

Smith’s sister, Claudette Osborne-Tyo, went missing in 2008 at age 21.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com