The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and BC Civil Liberties Association are slamming the provincial government’s reaction to the Pickton lawsuit.

Attorney General Shirley Bond says the civil suit will impact how the government responds to recommendations from the missing women inquiry.

Bond made the statement after accepting the resignation of former Lieutenant Governor Steven Point as chair of the advisory committee on the safety and security of vulnerable women.

UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says the inquiry wasn’t perfect but the Clark government now appears to be backing away from critical work on the issue of missing and murdered women as one of its first official actions.

Phillip says the union is extremely concerned and disgusted with the provincial government’s move.

Micheal Vonn of the BCCLA says the lawsuit from the family of some of Pickton’s victims shouldn’t prevent the government from making long overdue changes.

She says it’s a terrible indicator of the state of the government’s commitment to women’s safety and equality.