Search and Rescue (SAR) in Eastern Canada
Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Halifax leads and directs all SAR operations in the Halifax search and rescue region (SRR). This region covers Eastern Canada. The commander of Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA) is responsible for SAR operations in the Halifax SRR.
The Halifax SRR has more than 29,000 kilometres of coastline. It is an area of some 4.7 million square kilometres that is 80 percent water. This area includes:
- all four Atlantic provinces
- the eastern half of Quebec
- the southern half of Baffin Island in Nunavut
- the north-western quadrant of the Atlantic Ocean
Regional SAR response centres
JRCC Halifax is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It includes members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). JRCC Halifax monitors the eastern region for SAR incidents. It also directs SAR alerts and emergency response in the region.
The CCG also operates two Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres in Eastern Canada to support enhanced maritime response in busy federal waterways. These are located in the City of Québec, Quebec, and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
JRCC Halifax received an average of 1,855 calls for assistance per year between 2021 and 2025. This breaks down approximately as follows:
- 70 percent related to maritime incidents
- 11 percent are air incidents
- 19 percent are requests for humanitarian aid
CAF SAR squadrons in Eastern Canada
The Halifax SRR has the following primary CAF SAR squadrons:
- 103 Search and Rescue Squadron from 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. The squadron flies:
- 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron from 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia. The squadron flies:
Any other CAF or CCG unit may be called upon to support the designated SAR units. They can be given the task of a SAR or SAR-like mission if they are available, suitable, and capable.
CAF assets are tasked to respond to approximately 400 SAR missions each year in Eastern Canada.