In a move to back up search and rescue volunteers across Canada, the federal government has unveiled a multi-million-dollar initiative to enhance support for those who assist in locating individuals who are lost, missing, or in distress.
Eleanor Olszewski, the minister responsible for emergency management and community resilience, disclosed the news in Yellowknife. She revealed that the government has secured a $3 million funding arrangement over three years with the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC).
As part of the deal, $1 million will be allocated annually to the numerous ground search and rescue teams in Canada. In a statement, the federal government noted that these groups collectively encompass around 10,000 volunteers.
The announcement was made following a visit by Minister Olszewski and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Olszewski emphasized the significance of search and rescue programs, particularly in regions like the North where local knowledge and terrain play crucial roles.
Highlighting the urgency in rescue operations, Olszewski stated, “When someone is lost and they’re in danger, every second matters.”
The federal funding is intended for establishing and upholding national ground search and rescue standards as well as managing a national volunteer insurance scheme. Bill Peck, representing SARVAC in the Northwest Territories, emphasized the vital role of this funding for a nationwide volunteer organization.
Peck underscored that the investment would enhance the organization’s stability, continuity, and long-term planning capabilities. He cited that in the 2024-25 period, over 2,900 searches were conducted nationwide by volunteers, amounting to more than 222,000 volunteer hours dedicated to search operations.
Peck emphasized the unique challenges faced by northern and remote regions, such as vast distances, isolated communities, harsh environments, and limited local resources, making national search and rescue coordination crucial. He stressed that volunteers remain indispensable and that funding to support these organizations would bolster their crisis response capabilities.
The funding will also contribute to the maintenance of their e-learning platform and support the organization’s AdventureSmart Program, an initiative aimed at educating the public on search and rescue prevention, which is carried out by volunteers.