Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach has launched a Red Dress Alert postcard campaign and is asking residents to sign cards to be sent to public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc
“The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is one that for decades has deeply affected families throughout the Northwest. Tragically, that continues to this day. The Red Dress Alert is a tangible, concrete step that will improve the chance that when loved ones go missing, they are found,” said Bachrach in a release.
A Red Dress Alert would function just like Amber Alerts, using cell phones to send an alert whenever an Indigenous woman, girl or two-spirit person is reported missing.
“We know that the first 24 hours after a person goes missing are the most critical,“ said Bachrach.
Bachrach’s NDP colleague Leah Gazan created the alert campaign in response to calls from families. By May, Gazan gained parliament support for a Canada-wide Red Dress Alert, and the 2023 federal budget included commitment to consultations about setting up a system.
“Leah has shown amazing leadership on this issue. In talking to families throughout our region, many have told me they feel having a Red Dress Alert would be an important step forward. We have an opportunity right now to raise our voices together and call on the government to make it a reality," added Bachrach.
Postcards and buttons can be picked up at Bachrach’s offices in Prince Rupert, Terrace, and Smithers, or by emailing [email protected].
