Things promised, things to pay for: Quebec is launching three SILVER alert pilot projects aimed at finding people suffering from a major neurocognitive disorder who are missing and whose lives are in danger.
The Minister responsible for Seniors and Carers, Marguerite Blais, made the announcement on Tuesday in Joliette, one of the three MRCs where the pilot projects will take place, the other two being those in Vallée-de-l ‘ Or, in Abitibi- Témiscamingue, and Drummond, in Center-du-Québec.
These alerts will only be given on cell phones – and not on radio or television – in a very local geographical area, where the person is missing. These alerts are specifically aimed at seniors with Alzheimer’s who have left their homes and gone astray.
The three pilot projects will be implemented starting September 5 and will continue until September 5, 2023, after which they will undergo review to assess whether the concept can be extended across the province.
This is the first in Canada; two U.S. states have implemented a similar system, California and Arizona.
The acronym SILVER is thought to mean Information System to Locate Lost and Wanted Vulnerable People.
This is an election promise made by Coalition avenir Québec during the 2018 campaign, and Minister Blais is extremely proud to announce it at the dawn of the next election campaign on October 3rd.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada