The federal department of Justice has agreed to provide $329-thousand to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice’s Families of Missing Persons Project.
The majority of the money will be used to fund three specialized Missing Persons Liaison positions at the Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert Police Services’ Victim Services Units.
“These resources will be dedicated to researching and developing new, more effective ways to support families of missing persons,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan.
The new positions will also provide training and consultation on handling missing persons cases to the 15 police-based victim services programs across Saskatchewan.
The remainder of the funding will be used to develop counselling and specialized support groups for families of missing persons.
Although these services will be made available to everyone, their primary focus will be the families of missing Aboriginal women. According to the final report of the Provincial Partnership Committee on Missing Persons, a disproportionate number of Saskatchewan’s missing persons are Aboriginal females.
“Providing support for family members of missing persons is a pressing concern that warrants co-ordinated attention from all levels of government, and we are pleased to provide funding for this Government of Saskatchewan project,” said Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Canada, Rob Nicholson.
The funding is expected this December, with the three liaison positions being filled in early 2012.
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