—in 2003, when we had the RCMP with the database in place. So here we are five Parliaments later.
For you, it's had to be years of hope and despair, and very trying many times. While we're not quite there yet, I think I can honestly say that, having talked to you several times over the years, thinking it was in place in 2003, if it wasn't for your personal effort, we wouldn't be here today. I don't think there's any question about that.
Yes, while many will talk about how important this is for finding issues related to criminal investigations, I think the other side is as important as well. That's the human side of knowing what happened, or maybe not even knowing what happened but knowing your loved one is not out there somewhere in the wilderness, even if they've passed away.
Maybe you could talk a little bit about that side, because I do think that for parents of missing children, how having lost someone impacts their lives, that knowing what happened, or knowing they're dead if that is the case, is as important as the crime side.
I wonder if you have anything to say on that.