Government of Canada helps improve search and rescue in New Brunswick

News release

October 11, 2018
Kierstead Mountain, New Brunswick
Public Safety Canada

Canadians love to play, work and explore in the great outdoors across our country. The search and rescue community works tirelessly to keep us all safe. The Government of Canada is determined to support these brave women and men with the tools and technology they need to best serve Canadians and ensure a seamless approach to search and rescue in Canada.

Today, Karen Ludwig, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest, on behalf of the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness announced $397,053 in federal funding to the Greater Fundy Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) under the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF). 

This investment will enhance search and rescue response along the Fundy Footpath wilderness trail by providing specialized training to more volunteers and local police to ensure consistent coverage across the area. This project will also support a coordinated, faster, more efficient approach to emergency response between agencies and stakeholders through improved communication tools and the development of standardized procedures.

The SAR NIF aims to fund projects that improve and enhance the objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP). The Government of Canada dedicates $7.6 million each year to support new and ongoing projects under SAR NIF.

Quotes

Search and rescue is a complex and extremely challenging line of work. In order to best support the search and rescue community, we need tools that help ensure Canada has the best system possible. I am pleased to see this funding provided to the Greater Fundy Ground Search and Rescue to help ensure an effective and capable search and rescue response in the region.”

- Karen Ludwig, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest

“Through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund, the Government of Canada is proud to support more effective and coordinated search and rescue capacity—to provide better tools to help professionals and volunteers who respond to emergencies and work to prevent them before they happen. From updating our national emergency management framework to restoring funding for Heavy Urban Search and Rescue teams across Canada, the federal government is determined to pay greater attention to emergency planning, preparedness and response. I’m confident that today’s investment will help keep people safe in New Brunswick.”

- Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal

“This project is important to the development of ground search and rescue teams in South Eastern New Brunswick and their ability to provide better services to the population of the Bay of Fundy Region. Up until now, volunteers had to spend long hours in fundraising activities in order to get funding to provide the necessary training to all team members. In addition to receiving better training and equipment, they will be able to dedicate more time to planning and preparation for ground search and rescue operations.”

- Philip Howe, Executive Search Manager, Greater Fundy Ground Search and Rescue

Quick facts

  • Investments in the SAR NIF will:

    •  promote and support projects designed to develop and improve SAR prevention;
    • enhance the effectiveness of the SAR response in federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions; and,
    • share SAR response and prevention best practices throughout the SAR community.
  • Through the SARNIF, the Government of Canada cost-shares up to 95% of funding for search and rescue projects.  Recipients must obtain a minimum of 5% of the total project cost by way of in-kind and/or cash contribution.

  • Projects are selected through a merit-based process using objective and measurable criteria.

  • The Government of Canada has launched the 2019-2020 call for proposals for the SAR NIF. Proposals will be accepted until November 30, 2018.

Associated links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Senior Advisor for Communications 
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@canada.ca

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