Description
Reports of Black boys going missing have gone viral on social media. So have theories about the disappearances. CBC’s the fifth estate investigated who is luring them to work in the drug trade in communities as far north as Thunder Bay — and beyond. We also speak to the parents desperately trying to find their children.
Comments on this episode were open for the weekend following its posting to allow for responsive comment moderation. You can read more about why comments aren't open all the time across CBC and other ways to interact with us: https://cbchelp.cbc.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/21378634468763-Why-aren-t-comments-available-all-the-time
#MissingChildren #BlackYouth #HumanTrafficking
Missing Black Boys
producer/director
Shelley Ayres
writer
Mark Kelley
investigative journalist
Grant LaFleche
canadian journalism foundation fellow
Adriel Smiley
associate producers
Danielle Reid
Daysha Loppie
video editor
Jordan Hayles
editing support
Anne MacRae
Ryan Ferguson
principal photography
Ousama Farag
David Jackson
Oliver Walters
additional photography
David Macintosh
additional research
Sarah Law, CBC Thunder Bay
archival material
Getty Images
Instagram/@brandongonezshow
Instagram/@findontariomissingboys
Instagram/@errrgoddy
Instagram @_simplyy.tee
Instagram @amelia.allida
Instagram/@TorontoRappers
Instagram/@therwaygroup
POND5
Reddit/r/canadian
X/@TBayCourthouse
YouTube/African Diaspora News Channel
YouTube/Bizz Loc
YouTube/City News
YouTube/City of Brampton
YouTube/@Vibegroovebangtravel
YouTube/Correctional Services Canada
YouTube/Tedx Talks
YouTube/Thunder Bay Police
YouTube/Toronto Police Services
YouTube/6ixBuzz Premieres
YouTube/TorontoRappers
YouTube/Who Judges The Judge
visual research
Leslie Morrison
graphic designer
Daniel Rofusz
post audio
Ron Searles
colourist
Scott McIntyre
special thanks
Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Nicole Brewster-Mercury
Lucius Dechausay
Nana aba Duncan
Anthony N. Morgan
Ron Nixon
Shari Okeke
Amanda Parris
Nina Aning
rollout producer
Leanne Stepnow
social media producers
Danny Burke
Avneet Dhillon
Kit Kolbegger
Brian Vinh Trinh
digital producer
Janet Davison
media management
Laurel Robinson
resource coordinators
Marc Cormier
Dragan Maricic
associate director
Carmen Smith
packaging editor
Alessia Protomanni
coordinating associate director
Jane Wilson
senior producer
Emmanuel Marchand
executive producer
Allya Davidson
original broadcast
January 23, 2026
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For more than five decades, the fifth estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Mark Kelley, Steven D'Souza and Ioanna Roumeliotis continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. the fifth estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians — delivering a parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.
the fifth estate airs Fridays at 9pm on CBC-TV and steams on CBC GEM.
See new episodes first on YouTube Thursdays at 7pm ET