Ginette Lavack · TranslatePolitics.ca

Private Members' Business

Silver Alert National Framework Act

2026-06-05

“I want to support this bill because it shows compassion for seniors with dementia. However, I want to make sure it doesn't create too many alerts and overwhelm people. The provinces need to agree to this framework. We are already discussing improvements to the alert system with them. I suggest adding some amendments to the bill to set clear thresholds for when an alert should be sent out.”

Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill C-263, an act to establish a national framework for silver alerts. I would like to thank the member for Kildonan—St. Paul for bringing this important matter to the House for debate. The safety of our seniors, especially those living with dementia or other cognitive impairments, is a priority for us all. This is a topic that transcends party lines, and it is no exaggeration to say that dementia impacts every community across Canada. The silver alert concept is born from a place of genuine compassion and a desire to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We can all imagine the heartbreak and terror that families must feel when a loved one with a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's wanders away from home. It is estimated that nearly one million Canadians will be living with dementia by 2030. We need to make sure that we have the right methods and tools in place to protect vulnerable people who may go missing, people like Earl Moberg, who inspired this bill and who serves as a poignant reminder of the very real consequences if we do not get this right. Bill C-263 proposes a national framework to support a coordinated silver alert system. Among other things, it seeks to use our existing national public alerting system to issue alerts when a vulnerable senior disappears. The federal, provincial and territorial governments already collaborate on Alert Ready, or the national public alerting system. It alerts the public through TV, radio and wireless devices to life-threatening situations, such as tornados, fires and Amber alerts. In 2024 alone, 855 emergency alerts were issued across Canada. These alerts provide life-saving information during extreme weather or other critical events. We need to make sure that any framework is developed in consultation with our provincial and territorial counterparts across the country so that it complements existing local protocols, rather than complicating or duplicating them. This step is crucial, considering that missing persons are an area of provincial and territorial jurisdiction. To date, no preliminary discussions have been held with the provinces and territories to determine whether they would even support such a framework. Search and rescue operations are often led by local police services in coordination with provincial agencies and volunteer organizations. Whether a senior goes missing in a rural township or a dense urban core, the response must be immediate and tailored to that specific area or community. The local authorities are the ones who have the on-the-ground knowledge to respond quickly and effectively. Quebec has implemented a non-intrusive alert program that was announced in February 2026. It is an evidence-based program that alerts the public in non-intrusive ways, on social media, TV or radio, for example. Budget 2025 committed to renewing the national public alerting system model to better support emergency alerting across Canada. Guidance for consistent NPAS alerting, including missing vulnerable people, is already a topic of discussion with provinces and territories, and it is expected to be covered by this work. Bill C-263 could be strengthened by acknowledging this work and collaboration in its preamble. For a notification system to be effective, it must be used judiciously and the parameters must be clear. Canada already has a highly effective system for the direst circumstances, the Amber alert. The power of the Amber alert lies in its rarity. When that sound goes off on Canadians' phones, they know it is a life-or-death emergency involving a child in immediate danger. If we expand the criteria for emergency broadcasts to include every instance of a missing senior when thousands of such incidents occur annually across this country, we run a very real risk of creating alert fatigue. If the public begins to perceive these alerts as routine, they may start to ignore them. By overusing the emergency broadcast system, we would inadvertently weaken its effectiveness for everyone, including the very seniors this bill seeks to protect. We must therefore ensure that alerts are only issued when necessary, in order to maintain the public's high level of responsiveness in the event of an emergency. Clear thresholds must first be established and would have to be met before such alerts are issued. Therefore, the bill would be further strengthened by including these thresholds in the preamble to ensure consistent application across the country. Our government often speaks of its commitment to the safety and dignity of all Canadians, and these are not just empty words. The government is determined to take concrete action to ensure everyone's safety. It is because of our seniors that we have the great communities and country we have today. We owe it to them to keep them safe from danger. In conclusion, the government recognizes the merit in exploring a national approach to silver alerts. However, a national framework must be efficient, clear and non-duplicative. Therefore, with some amendments to streamline the bill and include clear thresholds, the government is prepared to support Bill C‑263.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Oral Questions

The Economy

2026-06-05

“I'm filling time with anecdotes about happy business people and mentioning some programs. Don't pin me down on what these programs actually do. I want to look like I'm supporting good work.”

“I admit there are challenges. But I am going to ignore the recession and struggling people you mentioned. Instead I will talk about government spending and brag about people who said we are doing a good job. I want you to know we are in fact spending a lot! That will solve it. I will also bring up a big number of jobs I want government to create, because that sounds good.”

“The economy isn't perfect yet but we're giving out lots of benefits and programs. People tell me they're happy when I visit them. I want you to know my riding is getting lots of money and help from the government.”

Statements by Members

Canada-Wide Science Fair

2026-06-02

“I want to cheer for a program that spends money in my riding. I think it helps girls get ahead in science.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to recognize an extraordinary group of young girls from my riding of St. Boniface—St. Vital, Team Bison. These five students recently competed in the 2026 Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton. In their fourth consecutive year at the fair, they earned a bronze medal as well as several prestigious awards and scholarships. As someone who believes deeply in the potential of young people, I am especially proud of what they accomplished. Their curiosity, hard work and passion for discovery are inspiring. They are helping show the next generation of girls that they belong in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Their example reminds us of the importance of continuing to support and empower women and girls in these fields. I thank Team Bison for making our community proud. Their accomplishments inspire us, and I have no doubt this is only the beginning of what they will achieve. I congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Statements by Members

Red Dress Day

2026-05-05

“I want to look like I care about missing indigenous women. This program lets me say I'm doing something.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, today on Red Dress Day, we honour the memory of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. Across the country, and especially in Manitoba, this tragedy continues to affect families, communities, and entire generations. Every red dress represents a life, a story, and a profound loss. Last fall, I had the honour of attending the announcement of the Manitoba red dress alert pilot project, led by the group Giganawenimaanaanig, which means “we all take care of them”. This important initiative reflects the commitment of communities to raising awareness, commemorating and advancing justice. While this work is essential, much work remains. We must continue working in partnership with indigenous communities to end this national crisis and ensure the safety of indigenous women and girls. Today, we remember, we listen and we act.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Statements by Members

Saint‑Boniface—Saint‑Vital

2026-04-28

“I want you to know that I am good at my job. I want you to like me. I can help you get government programs. I think giving out government money is good. I like the Prime Minister.”

Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one year ago, I had the immense privilege of being elected to represent the people of Saint‑Boniface—Saint‑Vital, and it is my honour to do so to this day. Since then, we have advanced concrete priorities: more accessible housing, investments that support our businesses and create good jobs and measures to help families cope with the cost of living. What matters to me more than announcements and results is being present on the ground, listening to people and serving them. I see it as my job to help people navigate federal services and to speak on behalf of our community in Ottawa. I would like to applaud the leadership of the right hon. Prime Minister, who is enabling us to deliver concrete results for our communities. One year in, we are just getting started. I remain deeply, enthusiastically and determinedly engaged in pursuing this work.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗