The Government of Canada recognizes the Zebra Centre and Peel Police at National Missing Children's Day Ceremony

OTTAWA - May 25, 2009 - Today, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, federal Minister of Public Safety, acknowledged May 25th as National Missing Children's Day. The commemoration aims to raise public awareness about Canadian children who go missing, and what can be done to prevent abductions.

As part of this year's National Missing Children's Day, two organizations are being recognized for their work, the Zebra Centre and the Peel Police Vice Squad.

"Committed people across Canada have made it their life work to prevent children from going missing, and to help find them when they do. Today, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada and families from coast to coast to coast, I would like to thank the Zebra Centre and the Peel Police Vice Squad for your dedication and the vital service you provide to Canadians," stated Minister Van Loan.

Superintendent John Bilinski, officer-in-charge of the Canadian Police Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, presented the Zebra Centre with the Air Canada Kids' Horizons/RCMP Child Recovery Award, and joined Our Missing Children partner representative Lillian Thomsen, Department of Foreign Affairs, in presenting Peel Regional Police Vice Squad with the Our Missing Children Award of Excellence.

"Protecting our children is a sacred trust shared not just by parents and families but by neighbourhoods and communities, by schools and police, and all Canadians. These two organizations have truly made a difference," concluded Superintendent Bilinski.

Since 1986, Canada has dedicated every May 25th to all missing children in the hope that they will be found.

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For more information:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Media Relations (613) 993-2999
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/omc-ned/index-accueil-eng.htm