Ottawa starts work on alert system for missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people

Ottawa is beginning consultations today on the creation of a public alert system for missing Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

Some advocates, meanwhile, are calling on the federal government to expand emergency notifications to all Indigenous missing persons cases.

NDP MP Leah Gazan is leading discussions on the proposed "Red Dress Alert" system with Indigenous frontline advocates and Liberal MP Pam Damoff, who previously served as parliamentary secretary to the ministers of Indigenous services and public safety.

The talks launched after Gazan brought forward a motion in Parliament last spring to fund an alert system. The motion received unanimous consent.

Red Dress notices would send notifications to the public on their phones whenever an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit person goes missing, just as Amber Alerts do now for missing children.

In Ontario, more than 90 per cent of Amber Alerts lead to children being recovered safely, says the Ontario Provincial Police.

Gazan is urging the federal government to implement the program before the next election. She said it's a matter of life and death.

"If they don't, it shows how serious they are about the crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in this country," said Gazan, who represents the riding of Winnipeg Centre.

"The very least they can do is look for us."

Damoff, who represents the riding of Oakville North—Burlington, said she was asked to co-lead consultations after she gave Gazan her word that she would work with the NDP MP on the program.

Although the government doesn't have a definitive timeline for implementation, Damoff said creating a Red Dress Alert is a government priority.

"I hope it's in place before the next election," Damoff said. 

The program doesn't require new legislation, but Damoff said the government needs to consult with survivors, frontline workers and families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls to find the best way forward.

"If it's not used properly or if it's not used at all, it's just going to sit there," she said.