Ottawa Police have announced they will reward $50,000 to each person who provides information leading to the arrests of seven unsolved homicides, dating back to 1990.

Families of the victims are hopeful these rewards will provide closure.

"I will never give up and I truly hope in my heart that this reward -- whoever has information or who knows anything will come forward,” said Linda Beland whose son Douglas Steward died in 2004 at the age of 19.

Ongoing pain like hers is why police defend further action to solve cold cases.

"These last set of files are ones where maybe a reward will tip the balance.Maybe that's what somebody out there is waiting for," said Insp. John Maxwell, Ottawa Police Service.

The unsolved homicides includes the deaths of:

- Arash Raffiqi, 2006
- Douglas Stewart, 2004
- Christopher Smith, 1996
- John Brow, 1996
- Carrie Doloris Mancuso, 1995
- Sophie Filion, 1993
- Melinda Sheppitt, 1990

Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Major Crime Section at 613-236-1222 ext. 5493

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Stefan Keyes.