Resources 

The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) gives you the ability to search the profiles of missing persons and will allow you to print profile posters to post in your community. https://www.canadamissing.ca

The Canadian Centre for Information on Missing Adults (CCIMA) is a website that provides you information on missing adults. http://missingpersonsinformation.ca

Quick Facts About Reporting a Missing Adult in Canada

Usually a person’s family and friends know the individual’s routine well and are the first to recognize when regular patterns are broken. In the majority of cases, explanations are easily found.

No Reasonable Explanation for the Disappearance

However, when there are no explanations and you are concerned for the person’s safety or well-being, you should contact police to discuss the situation. The sooner police are made aware of the disappearance; the sooner they are able to begin work on locating your loved one.

Waiting Period Before Contacting Police

There is no waiting period for filing a missing person report in Canada. Having to wait 24 hours, 48 hours, or any other set time period is a myth.

Who Can Report a Missing Adult?

Although missing adults are usually reported to police by family members, you do not have to be a relative to file a missing person report.

Where To File a Report

A missing person’s report should be filed with the police force responsible for the city/area where the person disappeared from.

It’s Not a Crime For an Adult To Go Missing

It’s not a crime for an adult to sever all contacts and voluntarily walk away from her/his life to start over elsewhere. As a result, police have the difficult job of balancing the missing adult’s right to privacy with finding out the reasons for the disappearance. In some cases, the person no longer wishes to remain in contact with her/his loved ones. When this happens, police have to respect the missing person’s decision. In most cases, the searching family is notified that the missing person has been located but no further details are shared without the missing person’s consent.