Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations Releases Public Outreach Plan

TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - The Hon. Gloria J. Epstein, head of the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations, today made the following statement concerning the release of the Review's Community Outreach and Engagement Plan:

"As head of the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations, I am pleased to release today our Community Outreach and Engagement Plan which can be found at our website at www.missingpersonsreview.ca. This robust plan has been developed in close consultation with the Review's Community Advisory Group (CAG). The CAG is a diverse group of community leaders who represent a cross-section of stakeholders affected by this Review.

Four fundamental objectives anchor our Plan:

• To ensure that the experiences and perspectives of the broadest range of members of the public are heard, including members of the LGTBQ2S+ communities, and those who are marginalized or vulnerable
• To promote a comprehensive set of options for how members of the public can share their views with the Review
• To enable members of the public to engage with the Review in a safe and supportive environment, with appropriate safeguards for confidentiality, if desired
• To inform the findings and recommendations to be contained in my Report

Our plan provides for six principal means of community outreach and engagement:

• Stakeholder's Meetings – a broad range of community groups and service providers will be invited to share their insights and expertise with me and members of my team. These meetings will commence in mid-May, 2019
• Confidential Interviews – individuals may request a confidential interview to share relevant personal experiences in a safe and supportive environment
• Written Submissions – commencing immediately, all members of the public, groups or organizations can make written submissions to the Review. These written submissions may be submitted to the Review until December 31, 2019
• Anonymous Communications – All members of the public may share their views with the Review anonymously through a portal to be available on the Review's website as of May 10^th
• Public Survey – all members of the public may also complete an electronic survey. It too will be anonymous. The survey will be available through the Review's website commencing in early 2020
• Public Forum – after the Review compiles other forms of input, a public forum will be held in 2020 to permit anyone interested to share their perspectives, experiences and suggestions in a public setting
• Roundtables – experts will discuss, in roundtable sessions open to the public, policy issues arising from the Review's work. These roundtables will take place in mid-2020

I may add other strategies to obtain the most complete feedback possible from members of the public. After all, a robust community outreach and engagement plan is critical to the Review's success. While no process is perfect, I believe that the opportunities outlined above will allow me to hear from the broadest spectrum of the public. I am eager to begin this important part of my work."

SOURCE The Independent Civilian Review

Media Contact: Aly Vitunski, [email protected], 647.890.4175, www.missingpersonsreview.ca