The Only Complete List of Canada's Long Term Missing Children

When a child goes missing, the heartbreak reverberates far beyond their family - it touches friends, communities, and even strangers who hear their stories and never forget. But what happens when a child is missing for years, or even decades?

That is where We the Missing comes in: to make sure that the names and faces of every child who has been missing long-term in Canada are gathered in one place.

It may surprise you to learn that, until now, no such central list existed. There was no official site, database, or registry that included all long-term missing children in Canada. Many people assume there is - but it does not exist.

Why the Existing Resources Aren’t Enough

There are excellent websites that list missing children, including the RCMP’s Canada’s Missing and MissingKids.ca run by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. These organizations do vital work. But here’s the catch:

Not every child is listed on these sites.

In most cases, it’s up to the parents or guardians to contact these organizations directly to have their child’s case added. If they don’t—or simply don’t know how—their child may never be included. That means some children are missing from public view, and their cases aren’t part of national awareness efforts.

We can't find them if no one knows they are missing.

What Makes We the Missing Different

This site is dedicated entirely to long-term missing children (aged 17 and under) — those who have been gone for more than one year—and it’s the only place where every single name of the children missing long term in Canada is being gathered and shared in one central location.

Behind the scenes, I maintain a growing database and spreadsheet that includes (if available):

• A photo of each child

• Full name and birthdate

• The date they went missing

• Their age at the time of disappearance

• Where they were last seen

• Any known distinguishing marks or characteristics

• Links to other public listings

  
  

The spreadsheet is nearly complete in terms of names and missing dates, covering every known case of a child who has been missing long-term in Canada. Additional information—photos, case notes, links, and details—is being filled in regularly. The database is constantly being updated as new information becomes available.

A Map in Progress

In addition to the spreadsheet, We the Missing includes a map of Canada showing the last known locations where these children were seen.

This map is in its early stages and currently features only a small percentage of the cases. But it’s growing—and it's a powerful visual reminder of just how widespread these disappearances are.

Why I Didn’t Wait

Both the spreadsheet and map are works in progress—but I made a decision early on not to wait until everything was perfect before launching this site.

Because every day that these names and faces go unseen is another day we may not know their stories. Every missed connection, every forgotten anniversary, every overlooked clue—that’s time we can’t get back.

And I believe that every child deserves to be remembered. Not just the ones listed on high-traffic sites. Not just the ones who make headlines. All of them.

A Mission of Visibility and Hope

This site is not run by a government agency or national organization. It’s run by someone who, like many of you, was deeply moved by a missing child’s story—and decided to do something.

If you’ve ever tried to find a full list of Canada’s long-term missing children and come up empty, you’re not alone.

That’s why We the Missing exists. Because these children still matter, and their stories still need to be told.

The Numbers

As of 10 August 2025:

• 250 total children missing in Canada for a year or longer

• The disappearance of Richard "PeeWee" Marlow is the oldest in Canada dating back to July 18, 1944

• I have included the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan on the database as they are missing from my home province but they are not included in the total number of 250.

• A break down per province/territory:

  
  

Yukon: 1

Northwest Territories: 7

Nunavut: 2

Prince Edward Island: 0

Nova Scotia: 4

New Brunswick: 8

Newfoundland and Labrador: 7

Quebec: 31 (sadly, as of August 27, 2025 Anthony Joncas-Poulin will be added to the list, making the total in Quebec 32 long term missing children a total of 251 long term missing children in Canada)

Ontario: 95

Manitoba: 23

Saskatchewan: 15

Alberta: 13

British Columbia: 44

We the Missing Wants to Hear From You

Are there any long term missing cases in Canada not accounted for on the spreadsheet?

What missing child's case can you never forget?

Are there any long term missing children's cases outside of Canada you would like to see covered on We the Missing? I have written about some cases in the United States so far and will cover missing children's cases, unsolved murders on We the Missing as well.

Share with me in the comments or contact me at wethemissing@gmail.com or message me on the We the Missing Facebook page or Instagram page.