The federal government in Canada has unveiled a financial boost of millions of dollars to bolster search and rescue volunteer teams across the country. Eleanor Olszewski, the minister responsible for emergency management, disclosed the $3 million funding pact over three years with the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC). As part of this agreement, $1 million will be allocated annually to support the numerous ground search and rescue teams nationwide, consisting of approximately 10,000 volunteers.
The announcement was made by Minister Olszewski in Yellowknife, following her visit to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty. Olszewski emphasized the significance of search and rescue operations, especially in remote regions with challenging terrains where local knowledge plays a vital role.
The federal government specified that the funding will be utilized for establishing and upholding national ground search and rescue standards and organizing a national volunteer insurance scheme. Bill Peck, the director of SARVAC in the N.W.T., speaking on behalf of the 13 territorial and provincial organizations, highlighted the critical nature of the funding for a nationwide volunteer network.
Peck emphasized the importance of stability and long-term planning enabled by the investment, noting that in 2024-25, volunteers engaged in over 2,900 search missions, contributing more than 222,000 volunteer hours. He stressed the unique challenges faced by northern and remote regions, underscoring the necessity of strong national coordination for effective search and rescue efforts.
The funding will also support the maintenance of SARVAC’s e-learning platform and the AdventureSmart Program, an initiative aimed at educating the public on search and rescue prevention, which is delivered by dedicated volunteers.