Across Canada, thousands of search and rescue volunteers answer the call when people are lost, missing or in distress - often in remote and challenging conditions. Canada's diverse geography and vast wilderness areas require a strong and coordinated search and rescue system, and volunteers play a critical role in helping people when they need it most. Effective search and rescue depends on consistent national standards, strong coordination, and collaboration among governments, volunteers, and community organizations.
Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced a $3 million three-year investment in the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC), supporting the national network of Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers who help keep Canadians safe.
The agreement will provide $1 million annually to support approximately 10,000 volunteers on hundreds of ground search and rescue teams across Canada. Activities supported through the agreement include the development and maintenance of national GSAR standards, search and rescue prevention initiatives, and coordination of a national volunteer insurance program. The agreement also supports SARVAC's efforts to strengthen the GSAR community across Canada, including its work with organizations with specialized search and rescue capabilities.
Through this investment, the Government of Canada is strengthening the foundation of volunteer search and rescue across the country. By enhancing national standards, volunteer capacity building, and search and rescue prevention initiatives, SARVAC will continue to play a key role in helping search and rescue organizations deliver effective and safe services to Canadians.
