The Alberta government is launching a review of its emergency alert system to strengthen how authorities respond when a vulnerable person goes missing, following the death of an 11-year-old boy.
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On Aug. 10, public safety and emergency services minister Mike Ellis said the province will consult with law enforcement, disability advocates and community partners. The engagement will examine emergency alert processes, including a review of the current criteria required to trigger an Amber Alert.
“Parker’s death is a heartbreaking tragedy and our thoughts remain with his family and everyone who knew and loved him,” Ellis said in a statement. “By listening to law enforcement, disability advocates and community partners, we can better understand how emergency alerts are working today and what options should be considered for the future.”
The announcement follows the death of 11-year-old Parker Wells, whose passing prompted widespread concern over the protocols in place for missing vulnerable youth.
As part of the provincial response, the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services will review the policies and protocols of the service provider responsible for Parker’s care when he disappeared.
“We will carefully review what happened and consider all recommendations to strengthen protections for vulnerable children,” said Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services.
The provincial reviews are taking place alongside an operational and investigative review by the Calgary Police Service.
Currently, police emergency alerts in Alberta are managed through an agreement between the provincial government, the RCMP and municipal and Indigenous police services. Authorized agencies can issue Amber Alerts or civil emergency notifications when specific activation criteria are met.
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