Police forces in Saskatchewan have new ways to help find missing people in the province where criminal activity is not suspected.
Legislation came into effect Friday allowing police to obtain a search warrant if a missing minor or vulnerable person is believed to be in a building.
Police will also have broader access to a range of records including employment and school records, and global positioning tracking records.
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Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan said this will give more support to families when a loved one goes missing.
“These changes will ensure police services have the most up-to-date tools to help find missing people,” Morgan said in a statement.
Police will also be able to access information about a person who might be with a missing minor or vulnerable person, and can make an emergency demand for records if certain criteria are met.
The Missing Persons and Presumption of Death Act, which was introduced in 2009, established how the property of a missing person is administered.
The act also has presumption of death provisions and sets out how family members and police can access information about a missing person.
Saskatchewan was the first Canadian jurisdiction to create access to information provisions for missing persons.
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