Skeena Bulkly Valley MP Taylor Bachrach is gearing up his Red Dress alert campaign to put pressure on the federal government to turn this idea into reality.
The idea for the Red dress is similar to the amber alert system and will work with the cell phone networks. If an Indigenous women has been reported missing, an alert will be sent via text right away.
The campaign was launched by NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre Leah Gazan who “succeeded at gaining the support of Parliament for a Canada-wide Red Dress Alert,” according to Bachrach. In the spring 2023 federal budget, a commitment to engage in discussions about the system was included.
In Northern BC, Indigenous women and 2-Spirit people go missing, especially along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George, known as the “Highway of Tears.”
Bachrach Spoke with CFNR about the Red Dress alert and how it will assist in finding missing women sooner. The button for his campaign was designed by award-winning artist and business owner from the Gitx̱san and Nisga’a Nations Jamie Davis of Terrace.
Listen to CFNR’s interview with Taylor Bachrach here:
