Between June 16 and July 25, 2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) department of Justice is gathering public feedback on the development of missing persons legislation.

The Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls direct provinces and territories to adopt legislation related to missing persons. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is committed to responding to the Calls for Justice, and the department of Justice intends to develop legislation during the 19th Legislative Assembly to further support missing person investigations.

When police begin a missing person investigation, they often have no reason to suspect that a crime has been committed and cannot obtain a production order under the Criminal Code, or otherwise compel parties to release personal information about the missing person. Missing persons legislation can provide mechanisms so police can access information quickly and efficiently when conducting a missing person investigation. Overall, this legislation can help address some of the aspects that may make it difficult to investigate a missing person case. 

NWT residents are invited to submit written feedback and participate in an online survey in relation to the development of missing persons legislation.

The engagement results will be shared with the public in a What We Heard Report in the fall of 2022.

How to participate

• Consult the background information
• Take the survey before July 25, 2022

For media requests, please contact:

Julie Plourde

Senior Communications Advisor

Department of Justice

Government of the Northwest Territories

julie_plourde@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9256 ext. 82103