Squamish Elder Eugene Harry blesses photos of women missing from Vancouver's downtown eastside, prior to the start of a commission of inquiry into their disappearance, many of them victims of serial killer Robert Pickton, in Vancouver, British Columbia October 11, 2011. (REUTERS/Andy Clark)

VANCOUVER - The B.C. justice ministry responded Thursday to criticism of its handling of the Missing Women Commission Inquiry report by announcing a Dec. 17 release date.

Cameron Ward, a lawyer representing families of Robert Pickton’s victims, posted a scathing critique on his website Thursday, accusing the provincial government of not giving lawyers for the families enough time to read the 1,448-page report before its release.

Neil Chantler, a lawyer working with Ward, said the concern had since been somewhat addressed and they will get four hours to review the report.