Public Alerting Involving Vulnerable Missing Persons - Listening Sessions
Description
You are invited to share your perspective
The Government of Alberta invites you to a two-hour Listening Session about public alerting involving vulnerable missing persons. This engagement seeks to examine public alerting processes and identify opportunities to strengthen supports for incidents involving vulnerable missing persons, particularly those with neurodivergence and those with cognitive impairment or diminished decision-making capacity.
Initial sessions will take place in Calgary in October. Further sessions in other communities across the province are being planned, in addition to virtual sessions and an online survey. More information on the additional sessions, along with the survey, will be provided at www.alberta.ca.
The sessions will be an opportunity to share your experiences, feedback, and desired outcomes through a facilitated discussion.
Below is information on the listening sessions scheduled for Calgary. Additional sessions will be scheduled soon, so please check back often:
Session 1:
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Session 2:
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Session 3:
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Registration is required due to venue capacity constraints.
The registration form above includes space to indicate any accessibility needs you require.
Why this conversation is happening
The Government of Alberta is examining public alerting processes for incidents involving vulnerable missing persons and identifying opportunities to strengthen the current system. It is intended to help the provincial government understand participants’ experiences, perspectives, and desired outcomes.
The discussion will be led by a third-party facilitation team whose role is to support respectful participation, make room for different perspectives and document what is heard.
What to expect
This will be a facilitated listening session with smaller discussion groups. Please note that the subject matter may be emotionally difficult for some participants.
The two-hour session will include:
Opening remarks.
An overview of public alerting approaches in Alberta.
Group discussion exploring how public alerting involving vulnerable missing persons can be improved in Alberta.
A closing reflection and next steps.
Facilitators will take notes to document the themes, experiences, and ideas shared during the session. Feedback from these sessions will be collected anonymously; findings will not be attached to any names. You will not be asked to disclose any personal experiences that you do not wish to share.
You can participate in the way that works for you
You are invited to participate in the session the way that works for you, including:
Passing on a question or choose not to speak
Taking additional time to respond
Bringing a support person to assist you
Stepping out of the discussion and returning when you are ready
Using the quiet space/low sensory room
Participants are welcome to express grief, hurt, criticism or disagreement. Facilitators will support respectful discussion and equitable participation. Constructive criticism of policies, systems, institutions and decisions is welcome; personal attacks, threats and conduct that prevents others from participating will not be permitted.
Participant well-being and accessibility
You are encouraged to make choices that support your well-being. You may take a break, leave the room temporarily, use the available quiet/low-sensory space or choose not to respond to a question. Please note that the session cannot provide counselling or therapeutic support.
Participant supports at this session will include:
Quiet/low-sensory room
Large print materials
Accessible entrance and washrooms
Accessibility and accommodation requests
We want to support your participation. When registering, please tell us about any accessibility, communication, sensory, dietary, mobility, support-person or other accommodation needs you may have. You do not need to disclose a diagnosis or explain why you require the accommodation.
Please submit requests as early as possible so that arrangements can be made to provide supports. Some services may depend on provider availability.
POPA Collection Notice
The personal information collected through this engagement is for the purpose of informing decision-making about public alerting involving vulnerable missing persons. The personal information will be input into an automated system to generate content and/or make decisions, recommendations or predictions. This collection is authorized by section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact publicalertingengagement@gov.ab.ca.
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