B.C. NDP proposes Silver Alert Act to rally rescue for lost seniors

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s Opposition New Democrats are proposing legislation that would alert authorities to missing seniors, similar to the Amber Alerts that broadcast information about missing children.

The private members’ bill was introduced today at the B.C. legislature by Coquitlam MLA Selina Robinson, who says Silver Alerts are already in place in more than 30 United States jurisdictions and about to be introduced in Ontario.

Private members’ bills introduced by Opposition parties are rarely adopted by government, but sometimes end up on the government agenda.

Robinson says the Silver Alert legislation would give families and seniors immediate help shouldelders go missing from their homes, care homes or hospitals.

Robinson says seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia often wander from their homes and such an alert could help find them before any harm is done.

Members of the Shin family of Coquitlam have been searching for their missing 64-year-old father, Shin Noh, since last September and they are at the legislature today to support the proposal.