A private member’s bill aimed at creating a national Silver Alert framework for missing seniors has cleared second reading in the House of Commons and will now move to committee for further study.

The Silver Alert National Framework Act or Bill C-263, introduced by Raquel Dancho, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, seeks to establish a coordinated national framework for Silver Alerts to help quickly locate vulnerable seniors who go missing, particularly those living with dementia or other cognitive impairments.

“Today’s vote is an important step forward for vulnerable seniors, their families, and communities across Canada,” said Dancho. “When a senior living with dementia goes missing, every minute matters. Bill C-263 is about ensuring that Canadians can be alerted quickly and responsibly so more people know how to help, and more families have a better chance of bringing their loved ones home safely.”

Inspired by Winnipeg case

The bill was introduced earlier this year following the disappearance of Winnipeg senior Earl Moberg, who went missing in December 2023 and was never found. His family led a national petition, sponsored by Dancho, calling for a Silver Alert system in Canada. The petition garnered more than 7,300 signatures from Canadians across the country.”.

“For our family, this has always been about making sure others do not have to go through what we went through, and what we continue to live with every day because my dad was never found,” said Britt Moberg, daughter of Earl Moberg. “When someone living with dementia goes missing, minutes and hours can make all the difference. A Silver Alert would empower people in the community to help.”

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Existing alert system could be used

Dancho says the tools needed to make this system happen already exist through the National Public Alerting System, which distributes alerts to mobile devices, television, and radio. Bill C-263 would help ensure this existing infrastructure can be used more consistently and effectively when vulnerable adults go missing.

“I am grateful to the Moberg family for their courage and tireless advocacy,” said Dancho. “Because of their leadership, this bill is now one step closer to helping protect vulnerable seniors across Canada.”

By 2030, nearly one million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia, creating a growing public safety challenge when vulnerable seniors go missing. 

Next steps

The bill will now proceed to committee, where parliamentarians will have the opportunity to hear from experts, families, law enforcement, and other stakeholders on how a national Silver Alert framework can be implemented effectively.