What's happening with Silver Alerts in B.C.?
During the 2020 provincial election, John Horgan promised an NDP government would implement a Silver Alert system in B.C. He made that promise to Sam Noh, whose father Shin Noh disappeared in the Coquitlam area in 2013.
“I was thrilled at that time, we’d been advocating for quite some time,” Noh said in an interview with CTV News Friday. But more than a year and a half since that day, Noh said he’s had no update and no response to his requests for information.
“It’s quite disappointing and frustrating because this isn’t a new thing, we’ve been at this since 2014 and it’s been their idea, so plenty of time has passed,” Noh said,
Back when his father went missing, Noh found an ally in current finance minister Selina Robinson. At the time, the Liberals were in power, but Robinson proposed a private member's bill.
Noh has been a staunch advocate for the system ever since, even co-founding the alert platform B.C. Silver Alert that users can subscribe to.
It was made with the help of Coquitlam Search and Rescue search manager Michael Coyle, who was part of the original team out looking for Shin Noh.
“It’s much the same as an Amber Alert, with the key difference being focused on a very limited area,” Coyle said. “It just uses standard text messages.”
The term ‘silver alert’ is currently used by Winnipeg Police when asking for the public’s help to locate vulnerable seniors.
“Even just using the terminology does highlight for people that this is a missing person who may not ask for help,” Coyle said.
In a statement to CTV News Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Health confirmed it is “examining strategies” to develop a silver alter-type system.
“The ministry completed a jurisdictional review in 2021. A project plan, including a stakeholder engagement plan, is now being developed and will be followed by key stakeholder consultations,” the statement reads. “The Premier supports this work.”
Noh said his group, Silver Alert Society of British Columbia, was not included in the consultations and was unaware of the work. He’s hoping more details will be released.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.