Today, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced approximately $1.15 million for two search and rescue projects led by the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV).
Canada's vast and challenging landscapes, including those surrounding La Loche and other communities across northern Saskatchewan, make search and rescue operations increasingly complex. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, the need for reliable and effective SAR capabilities continues to grow. Sustained, coordinated efforts are essential to ensure responders can reach people in distress quickly and safely -no matter how remote the location or difficult the conditions.
Funded through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF), a federal program that helps strengthen prevention efforts in search and rescue, and improves the effectiveness of response across Canada, these SARSAV projects will advance volunteer recruitment and retention, and enhance training, resources, and coordination for operations on water and shorelines, including through the use of new Geographic Information System‑based mapping tools.
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening search and rescue by working with provinces, territories, communities, and specialized organizations, to reduce the risk of injury and loss of life and to ensure timely, effective emergency response.
