MARSTON PRESENTS 6600 SIGNATURES TO PARLIAMENT IN SUPPORT OF A NATIONAL DNA AND MISSING PERSONS BANK

MARSTON PRESENTS PETITIONS FOR NATIONAL DNA BANK
6600 Hamiltonians support call for a National DNA and Missing Persons Bank

OTTAWA –NDP MP Wayne Marston (Hamilton East-Stoney Creek) presented today in the House of Commons a petition signed by over 6600 people calling on the Harper Conservatives to move quickly on establishing a National DNA and Missing Persons Bank.

“It is time for the Conservatives to commit to implementing a National DNA and Missing Persons Bank. It is time for the Conservatives to tell the families of the estimated 4800 missing Canadians when this important tool will be available. And it is time for Billy Mason’s family to get the answers they have waited for so long,” said Marston.

William “Billy” Mason disappeared in Hamilton in February of 2006. Since then, Mr. Mason’s mother, Donna Dixon, and his grandmother, Mary Mason, have been searching for answers about his disappearance. They first began calling for a National DNA and Missing Persons Bank with Marston when they found out that there was no way to match Mr. Mason’s DNA to an article of clothing that was found and that Ms. Dixon believes belonged to her son.

During a press conference in Ottawa today, Marston also read a statement from Mr. Mason’s mother.

“I was overwhelmed when Ms. Dixon brought the petitions back to me with over 6600 signatures. The families of missing persons and law enforcement officials need this tool. It’s time for the federal government to deliver.”