Support the Silver Alert Framework Act

Elmwood – Transcona

Our seniors are the heart of our community. They are the teachers, builders, and parents who have spent decades laying the foundation of the country we enjoy today. Protecting those who have given so much to building our nation must be a policy goal and imperative.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to speak with many constituents about the challenges facing families today. One concern that comes up more than most is the safety of our aging loved ones. For many families, the fear of a parent or grandparent with dementia or cognitive impairment becoming lost isn’t just a possibility, it’s a heavy daily stress. When a vulnerable senior goes missing, we aren’t just fighting the elements, we are fighting the clock. In these critical moments, every second matters, and our safety networks must evolve to meet that urgency.

This is why I am proud to joint-second Bill C-263, the Silver Alert National Framework Act, recently introduced by my colleague, Kildonan – St. Paul MP Raquel Dancho.

We already see the incredible effectiveness of the Amber Alert system for missing children. It’s a proven tool that saves lives by mobilizing the public instantly through the technology we already carry in our pockets. We, however, currently lack a co-ordinated, national framework to apply this same lifesaving technology to missing vulnerable adults across Canada.

Bill C-263 bridges this gap. This legislation would require the federal government to partner with provinces, territories, and law enforcement to establish national standards for Silver Alerts. By 2030, nearly one million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia. This is not just a statistic; these are our neighbors and our friends. By creating a unified system with consistent standards and interprovincial co-ordination, we can ensure that when a senior goes missing, the public is notified accurately and instantly, regardless of jurisdictional lines.

Please share our work on Bill C-263 with your family and friends. By raising awareness and asking representatives across Canada to voice their support, we can bring forth a safer, more secure future for the generation that built this country.