The Missing Women Commission of Inquiry suffered more bad press today when Robyn Gervais, the Independent Counsel for Aboriginal Interests appointed by the Commission, announced via a press release she would be withdrawing from the proceedings immediately due to the "delay in calling Aboriginal witnesses, the failure to provide adequate hearing time for Aboriginal panels, the lack of ongoing support from the Aboriginal community and the disproportionate focus on police evidence."

"This inquiry is fundamentally about missing and murdered women, a disproportionate number of whom were Aboriginal. Despite 38 days of police testimony, the commission has yet to hear from an Aboriginal witness," reads Gervais' statement.

"As I leave, I regret that I could not find a way to bring the voices of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women before the Commissioner."

Gervais was contacted by The Tyee for further comment, but said she would not feel comfortable answering questions until she had officially notified the Commission in person of her decision, which she hopes will happen at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

The Commission has come under fire in the past from Aboriginal and women's groups because of a decision by the provincial government not to fund legal counsel for the families of the missing and murdered women. In her press release, Gervais points out that she was initially slated to represent the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council at the inquiry until they withdrew because of a lack of funding.

The Tyee also contacted the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry for a response but have not heard back.

Katie Hyslop reports for The Tyee and The Tyee Solutions Society.