Summary of the Evaluation of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Initiatives
About the program
Canadian SAR services are shared among federal, provincial, and territorial governments, with support from volunteer associations, municipal police, Indigenous communities, NGOs, and the private sector. Public Safety Canada (PS) plays a role in providing governance and coordination of SAR through the National Search and Rescue Secretariat.
The five key SAR programs that are led by PS are the Worker’s Compensation Program (WCP); the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) Contribution Program; the Search and New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF); the COSPAS-SARSAT; and the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR).
What we examined
The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness, and design and delivery of PS SAR programs. The evaluation covered the period from fiscal year 2019-2020 to 2023-2024.
Evaluation findings
- The WCP has met its intention of cost-sharing expenditures with provinces and territories. However, only a few provinces make use of the program.
- SARVAC has provided a national presence that has contributed to enhancing SAR response and incident prevention.
- SAR NIF continues to fund response and prevention projects and many projects have realized individual successes.
- PS supports Canada’s leadership role in COSPAS-SARSAT which continues to be an effective tool in search and rescue across Canada and the word.
- The six HUSAR taskforces have to develop Canadian standards and planning for an accreditation process which will meet international certification requirements.
- While PS has a role in SAR as part of its broader responsibilities for emergency management, the strategic direction for SAR within PS remains unclear.
Recommendations
- Strengthen the strategic policy suite for Canada’s SAR system, including addressing gaps in overall direction and governance of SAR policies and programs; and clarifying and communicating SAR objectives and national priority areas.
- Provide a structured approach to assessing, monitoring, and improving the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of PS’ SAR activities and programs.
- Explore solutions to provide adequate supports for SAR volunteers who may be injured in carrying out their duties, including insurance coverage options.
- Continue to support national accreditation of USAR teams, and the elements needed for interprovincial deployment and eventual international accreditation of the Canadian Task Forces.
- Create an increased awareness among Canadians of the COSPAS-SARSAT system.
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