MP WAYNE MARSTON AND MASON FAMILY LAUNCH DNA DATABANK POSTCARD CAMPAIGN

Wayne Marston, MP (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek) was joined by the family of Billy Mason, a local man who went missing over 2 years ago, to launch a postcard campaign asking Prime Minister Harper to establish a National DNA Bank and Missing Persons Index.

“The Government has said it supports the creation of these tools in principle. It commissioned a report that told them it “would be possible and desirable” to establish these tools.” said Marston. “It is time for the Government to act on this recommendation and put the necessary processes in place to consider privacy concerns and other issues. It is time to act and set timelines for the establishment of the national DNA bank and missing persons index.”

In a recent response to a Question on the Order Paper posed by Mr. Marston, the Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day indicated that this should be studied by the Standing Committee on Public Safety before the Government moves ahead and that no timelines can be set because committee’s set their own agendas.

“My son has been missing for over two years. We have DNA samples that could be compared to found articles of clothing but without a national DNA bank and missing person’s index, how can we know for sure that no stone has been left un-turned.” commented Donna Dixon, mother of Billy Mason, “We need this Conservative Government to show leadership and bring this forward instead of hoping somebody else will do the work.”

Mr. Marston added “We’re launching this postcard campaign to involve others in the community in this fight. Last fall we gathered over 6600 signatures to a petition – we’re hoping to get as many postcards signed to deliver to the Prime Minister. Harper and his government cannot continue to ignore the need for this important tool. “

“Law enforcement officials currently depend on a patchwork of processes to attempt to match DNA of missing persons with found and recovered items and remains. It is time to give them the tools they need to help families like Donna and Billy’s grandmother Mary find out what happened to him. It is time to act.”

Please sign our online petition or print the post card below and mail it back to Wayne, so he may present them to Mr. Harper in the House of Commons.