Dancho’s Silver Alert Bill Up for Second Reading in the House of Commons
Ottawa, ON – Today, Raquel Dancho, Member of Parliament for Kildonan—St. Paul, will bring forward her Private Member’s Bill, the Silver Alert National Framework Act, for second reading debate in the House of Commons. Bill C-263 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.
“Every minute matters when a vulnerable senior goes missing,” said Dancho. “This bill is about ensuring that when time is critical, Canadians have the tools and awareness needed to help bring loved ones home safely.”
Bill C-263 was introduced earlier this year and is informed by the tragic disappearance of Winnipeg senior Earl Moberg, who went missing in 2023 and was never found.
“When someone living with dementia goes missing, minutes and hours can mean the difference between life and death,” Britt Moberg, daughter of Earl Moberg, said. “A Silver Alert could ensure people know to look and know how to help.”
Nearly one million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia by 2030, and many will go missing at some point. Without rapid public awareness, the risk of serious injury or death increases significantly.
The proposed legislation would require the federal government to work with provinces, territories, and law enforcement to establish national standards for issuing timely alerts to the public when vulnerable adults go missing.
The Bill builds on strong public support. An e-petition sponsored by Dancho and led by the Moberg family gathered more than 7,300 signatures from Canadians calling for a national Silver Alert system.
“The tools already exist; what’s missing is coordination,” Dancho concluded. “This is a practical, life-saving measure that can make a real difference for families across Canada.”