Search and Rescue (SAR) in Northern Canada
Air and marine search and rescue (SAR) in the North
Responsibility for launching an air or marine SAR response in Canada’s North generally rests with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in the region where the response is needed:
- JRCC Victoria provides the primary SAR response to the Yukon
- JRCC Trenton covers the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, including north of Baffin Island
- JRCC Halifax covers the southern half of Baffin Island
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) SAR assets are carefully managed and strategically located across the country. These assets are based where they can effectively respond to aeronautical and maritime SAR incidents in all regions. This takes into consideration:
- where aeronautical and maritime SAR incidents occur the most
- how those areas are affected by weather
- making sure there is supporting infrastructure
A JRCC can call on any SAR squadron to respond to a distress call in the North. When needed, any other Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) or CAF unit, including the Canadian Rangers, may be called upon by the JRCC to support or provide backup to a designated SAR unit if they are available, suitable, and capable.
The CAF also sponsors the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), a Canada-wide volunteer aviation association dedicated to providing air search support services. CASARA has members across the North, including commercial operators in Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet. This support helps reduce SAR response times to get help sooner to those in need.
Ground SAR in the North
Ground SAR in the North falls under the legal authority of each territory. They delegate the authority for ground SAR response to the police services in the area. Parks Canada takes the lead for SAR in national parks.
The Canadian Rangers often help with ground SAR in the North, upon request.
Arctic SAR agreement
The CAF cooperates with other countries to cover SAR in the Arctic. Canada also runs joint SAR exercises with other Arctic nations. In May 2011, Canada and seven other Arctic Council member states signed an Arctic SAR agreement in Nuuk, Greenland. This strengthened how Arctic Council members respond to emergencies in the Arctic.
Related links
Department of National Defence
Other Canadian government organizations
- National Search and Rescue Secretariat
- Canadian Coast Guard – Search and rescue
- Canadian Rangers
- Parks Canada
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Territorial and Indigenous partners
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- Government of Nunavut
- Government of Yukon
- Arctic Athabaskan Council
- Inuit Circumpolar Council
International partners
- Royal Danish Navy (Danish only)
- United States Northern Command
- United States Coast Guard
- United States National Ice Centre
- The Arctic Council
- North American Aerospace Defence Command