History/Background

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In 1985, the Canadian Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada announced a multi-faceted program to help police investigate missing children cases in Canada. One component of the program was the establishment of a Missing Children's Registry which was officially opened by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in August of 1986.

In 1986, at the same time that the Registry was established, Revenue Canada Customs (now known as Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) was developing a national missing children program. Since both Departments often worked together on files, it was determined that it would be beneficial to join forces, so that contacts, resources and ideas could be exchanged on a timely basis thus enhancing the protection of children. In July 1992, Revenue Canada Customs relocated their offices to the RCMP Missing Children's Registry.

In May 1992, the implementation of the federal government's action plan for children "Brighter Futures" contributed to the expansion of services. The Registry's services were expanded to include a photo-ageing service, investigative research, enhanced international networking and the development and distribution of information, related to missing children and youth issues, for parents, children and police.

In April 1993, Citizenship and Immigration Canada joined the Missing Children's Registry. Later in 1993, this joint forces operation officially became the "our missing children" program and comprised the RCMP's Missing Children's Registry, Revenue Canada's International Project Return and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

November 1996 brought the fourth partner to the "our missing children" program, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The department of Justice became the fifth partner of the program in 2001.

Over the years there have been a number of changes and reorganizations, the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada became Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada.(PSEPC). Revenue Canada Customs and the majority of Citizenship and Immigration Canada formed the new Canada Border Services Agency and is part of PSEPC. In 2001, the Missing Children's Registry was re-named National Missing Children Services, as well the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has become simply the Department of Foreign Affairs. Since the amalgamation of Customs and Immigration the partners have been reduced to four.

Also, in the late 1990s, this program was recognized both nationally and internationally as a unique combination of differing government services whose aim is to protect our children.

In June 1996, the Canadian Government recognized the program with its Award of Excellence which recognizes the best, most exemplary contributions of the public service resulting from employee suggestions or the meritorious performance of duties. For more information click here.

In May 1999, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognized the program by giving the Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement to the partners. The award was established to recognize law enforcement's contribution and dedication to the quality of life in local communities. It was also designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and solutions to common law enforcement problems between agencies around the world. For more information click here .

Although each department has their own function, "our missing children" operates as one unit as Canada's National Clearinghouse for missing children. In this capacity, the unit is linked to all Canadian police and related agencies through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), U.S. police agencies through the National Crime Information Centre (NCIC), and most foreign police agencies through Interpol.

Collectively, the partnership that forms "our missing children" provides a unique and powerful force in locating and recovering missing children.

For more information on each partners, click here .