Proposed ‘Darius’s Law’ would reform Amber Alerts

By Lethbridge Herald on November 6, 2025.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A month after a ground search for missing six-year-old Darius MacDougal was ended, a candlelight vigil was held for him on the steps of Lethbridge City Hall Saturday. Over 50 members of the community gathered to show support for young MacDougall’s family and continue hope for his safe return.

Called “Bring Darius Home,” the event used hundreds of candles to spell Darius’s name on the City Hall steps, light tables with photos and mementos of his, and to create a symbolic pathway leading up the steps and to the table were parents Maegan Bernicky and Dallas MacDougall sat during the vigil.

At the outset of the vigil Horn Society elder Chief One Gun led a prayer before bestowing a Blackfoot name “Soy’Yee’Kik’Stak’ee’Sahhk’koo‘Mapii” (Water Boy) on MacDougal. One Gun says the name is given as a blessing to provide protection and connection to the spirit world.

MacDougal went missing on Sept. 21 while on a camping trip in the Crowsnest Pass area. His family reported him missing after he went for a walk with other young family members near Island Lake Campground, about 250 kilometres south of Calgary. 

Despite an extensive search using dogs, helicopters, drones, and elite search and rescue teams from across Canada, no trace of MacDougal was found and the active search was called-off on Oct. 1; although the investigation continues.

An Amber Alert was not issued at the time because MacDougal’s disappearance did not meet the strict criteria for a confirmed abduction under current Canadian law. 

In MacDougal’s case the absence of a confirmed abduction prevented an alert, even though he vanished in a high-risk, cross-border region with immediate access to major transportation routes frequently flagged for smuggling and human trafficking activity.

Under current Canadian law, police must confirm an abduction, identify a suspect or vehicle, and determine that the child is in imminent danger before an Amber Alert can be activated. 

If even one box remains  unchecked–even when a child disappears near a major highway, border, or trafficking route–the public remains in the dark during the most crucial hours.

“Darius’s Law” is the name of an active petition and advocacy campaign that seeks to reform the Amber Alert system, giving police more discretion to issue alerts in high-risk child disappearance cases where an abduction is not yet confirmed. It is not a current, enacted law.

It aims to modernize the current framework to allow for alerts in “high-risk disappearances” by empowering police (including the RCMP) to issue alerts based on a credible threat or risk level, not just confirmed abduction.

The proposed law will redefine “high-risk disappearance” to include factors such as age, weather, terrain, and proximity to borders or major highways, which may be exploited by traffickers.

Another goal is to harmonize criteria across provinces and enable seamless cross-border alerts.

The campaign was initiated by Lethbridge social worker Ronnie DeGagne, who went to school with young MacDougall’s mother. The petition has gained significant public support, with advocates hoping to bring the proposal to the Canadian Parliament.

The Change.org petition currently sits at 15,770 verified signatures as of Nov. 5. Those who’ve signed the petition are also being asked to contact politicians at all levels of government to push for Amber Alert reform. 

For updates on Amber Alert reform, supporters can sign up for a newsletter at chooseaction.ca.