Sask. declares Missing Persons Week

The province has made April 27 to May 3 Missing Persons Week in Saskatchewan, with a theme of “Coming Together for Hope.”

According to the province, there are currently more than 140 long-term missing persons in Saskatchewan.

On its website, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police had 146 missing persons listed in April.

“Missing Persons Week is an important initiative that allows us to join together as a province to honour each individual who is missing and provide support to their loved ones,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said in a release. “We thank the SMPP and partner organizations for their continued advocacy and work throughout the province to address the issue of long-term missing persons, while we seek to prevent any further cases.”

On Monday morning McLeod, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women’s Office Alana Ross and RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore were alongside community leaders and families to honour Saskatchewan’s missing.

The event was meant to raise awareness about missing persons and work that is being done for support prevention, safety tools and responses while recognizing organizations that provide support for families and communities, the province said.

It was followed by the third annual Walk to Honour the Missing.

Missing Persons Week has been proclaimed in Saskatchewan since 2013.