The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan is pressing federal and provincial authorities to implement an Indigo-style alert that would expand the emergency system to include vulnerable people who go missing because of medical, developmental or communication challenges.
Calls for a broader alert
In a statement, the Métis nation said the proposed alert would be “inclusively and distinctively designed” for people who are not victims of abduction but are nevertheless at acute risk — including those living with autism, dementia and other conditions that can make them vulnerable in the community.
The proposal mirrors a public campaign that has gained traction in the weeks since a high-profile case in Calgary. A petition started by a Calgary woman, Jennifer Ball, has drawn widespread attention and thousands of signatures urging that the emergency alert system be amended to save lives.
“The Indigo Alert System would be inclusively and distinctively designed for individuals outside of child abduction – those with autism, mental or physical challenges, suffer dementia, in vulnerable situations, the list goes on,” said Brennan Merasty, the Métis nation’s justice minister.
Merasty and other Métis officials argue that current alert criteria leave gaps that prevent a faster, coordinated response when someone at risk goes missing. They say those gaps can mean critical minutes or hours are lost while families and first responders attempt to locate a person in danger.
Personal stakes, political support
Beverly Fullerton, the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan minister responsible for health, mental health and addictions, described the matter as deeply personal. Fullerton, who has a son with autism who is non-speaking, said families live with the constant fear that a routine disappearance could become life-threatening in minutes.
The petition calling for a broadened alert has attracted significant public and political attention. As of Monday, it had more than 38,000 signatures. The idea has also gained endorsements from prominent figures, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, signalling cross-jurisdictional interest in the proposal.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signatures on petition | 38,000+ |
| Noted political supporters | Pierre Poilievre, Danielle Smith |
How an Indigo Alert would work
The Métis Nation’s description of an Indigo Alert emphasises rapid, system-wide notification when a person deemed at risk is reported missing — regardless of whether there is evidence of an abduction. That contrasts with existing protocols, which prioritise child abduction scenarios for emergency-alert deployment.
Supporters argue the change would enable law enforcement, media and the public to mobilize quickly, increasing the chances of a safe outcome. Opponents in past debates have raised concerns about overuse of mass alerts and the potential for public desensitization; the Métis Nation proposes careful criteria to minimise false alarms.
Practical implications for Saskatchewan families
Advocates say the proposal is especially relevant on the Prairies, where rural geography, extreme weather and distance to emergency services can complicate search efforts. An effective alert system could shorten search times and direct scarce resources more efficiently to where they are needed.
To reduce false positives while ensuring speed, the Métis nation recommends clear eligibility criteria focussed on immediate risk and verifiable vulnerability; it also calls for training and protocols so authorities can activate an alert quickly and appropriately.
Next steps and questions
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan’s statement does not set out a legislative timetable. The push adds to growing pressure on federal and provincial governments to review emergency-alert criteria and consider a national framework that accommodates people of all ages and abilities.
- Advocates want alerts to cover people with developmental, medical or cognitive vulnerabilities.
- More than 38,000 people have signed a petition urging change.
- High-profile political figures have publicly supported the idea.
As governments weigh the policy, families and community organisations in Saskatchewan will be watching closely. For many, the question is simple: how quickly can systems be adapted so that when someone vulnerable goes missing, an entire province — and perhaps a country — can be mobilized to help find them?
