The Government of Canada Highlights Importance of 'Our Missing Children' Program

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, May 25 (MARKET WIRE) --
On the occasion of National Missing Children's Day, the Honourable Peter
Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Rob Nicholson,
Minister of Justice and the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Foreign Affairs recognized the success and commitment of the 'Our Missing
Children' program in returning missing children to their loved ones.

"The possibility of a child going missing is a parent's greatest fear,"
said Minister Van Loan. "Today I am proud to highlight the collaborative
efforts of all 'Our Missing Children' partners who work tirelessly to
reunite missing children with their families."

"Our government is working with its partners to help keep our nation's
children, our most valuable treasure, safe and free from harm," said
Minister Nicholson. "By working collaboratively, we can continue the
success of the 'Our Missing Children' program as it works to prevent
child abductions both domestically and internationally, and to find
missing children."

"In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the complexities
of international child-related cases. The 'Our Missing Children' program
is a fundamental component of our ongoing efforts to locate and return
missing children to Canada," said Minister Cannon. "At the same time, we
are working hard to encourage countries to accede to international
mechanisms such as the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction and to develop partnerships with countries
that are not yet able to accede to this Convention."

The 'Our Missing Children' program brings together provincial and
territorial governments, Canadian law-enforcement agencies, including the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency, Foreign
Affairs Canada and the Department of Justice Canada. Through this
program, partners exchange vital information to help locate missing
children and reunite them with their families.

Since 1988, over 8,000 children reported missing have been located
because of the collective efforts of the 'Our Missing Children' program
partners.

For more information please visit our website:
www.ourmissingchildren.gc.ca

Contacts:
Public Safety Canada
Media Relations
613-991-0657

Department of Justice
Media Relations
613-957-4207

Foreign Affairs
Media Relations
613-995-1874

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