Help for Families of Missing Persons
Hundreds of people go missing in Saskatchewan every year. However, most are found safe and returned to their loved ones. People can go missing for a number of reasons: accident, health issues, voluntary leaving, abduction or foul play. When someone goes missing, family, friends and the community become concerned.
Families and friends of missing persons do not have to face this difficult situation alone.
The Saskatchewan Missing Persons Partnership (SMPP) (formerly called the Provincial Partnership Committee on Missing Persons) was formed in 2005 to support families of long-term missing persons (persons missing longer than six months). The SMPP is made up of Indigenous, community, police and government representatives. They work collaboratively to prevent people from going missing and to improve responses and supports when people do go missing. In 2021, the committee decided on the SMPP as its new name to clarify its connection to Saskatchewan and highlight the partnership's collaborative approach.
The Government of Saskatchewan declares a Missing Persons Week annually in the province to raise awareness about why people go missing and to inform the public as to what measures can be taken in relation to missing persons prevention and response.
1. Missing Persons Week
Missing Persons Week is declared annually by the Government of Saskatchewan to raise awareness about missing persons, discuss prevention strategies, and promote services and supports available to families of missing persons in the province.
Missing Persons Week is organized by the Saskatchewan Missing Persons Partnership (SMPP) as part of its commitment to preventing missing persons cases and supporting families of missing persons. The partnership includes representatives from Indigenous groups, police services, the provincial government and community agencies across the province.
For more information on Missing Persons Week and the SMPP, visit the SMPP's social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or view the 2023 Calendar of Events.
2. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU) is a federally-funded unit that runs parallel to, but independent of, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Working with other agencies, government and non-government organizations, the FILU helps families connect with agencies who can provide information about their loved ones. Additional information can be found on the Department of Justice website for Family Information Liaison Units.
3. Agency Support
Agency Response Guide
This guide intends to provide information that will support agencies in assisting and supporting the families and friends of missing persons.
4. Family Support
Missing Persons Checklist
Step by step actions that family members should take in a missing persons situation.
Media Toolkit
A resource to help families with media relations.
You will also find a number of resources in the Victims of Crime and Abuse section of this website.
5. Reports and Reference Material
Provincial Partnership Committee on Missing Persons Progress Report 2007-2018
Strategic Business Plan – Addressing the Needs of Missing Persons and Their Families June 2012
Federal/Provincial/Territory Missing Women Report 2012
Report of the 2011 Western Regional Forum on Supporting Families of Missing Persons
Runaway Children and Youth Research Report May 2010
Report on Family Meetings - October 2009
Final Report of the Provincial Partnership Committee on Missing Persons - 2007
Jeff Pfeifer Report on Missing Persons – Police Policy and Practice November 2006
Newsletters
PPCMP Newsletter September 2020
PPCMP Newsletter November 2019
6. Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP)
The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP) is the voice of policing in Saskatchewan. As police agencies in Saskatchewan have jurisdiction over missing persons cases, the SACP has a large role in the Saskatchewan Missing Persons Partnership. Their website contains information on missing persons, as well as a missing persons checklist, Victims Services pamphlet, and information on navigating the missing persons process.
To learn more, visit the SACP website.