News

SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce Program Is Hiring

Join SARVAC’s Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program and help strengthen Canada’s capacity to support Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) responders during emergencies and disasters. We are expanding the SARVAC HWF Program and are seeking skilled professionals to support a...

$2.61 Million in Funding for SARVAC: Humanitarian Workforce Program Extension

August 19, 2026 SARVAC is pleased to announce that Public Safety Canada has approved funding for the SARVAC Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program Extension – 2026–2027 (Phase 4), providing up to $2.61 million over the next eight months. This funding will support the...

Government of Canada Invests $3 Million to Strengthen Volunteer Search and Rescue Across Canada

August 13, 2026 The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is grateful to the Government of Canada for its continued confidence in SARVAC and its support of the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time, skills, and expertise to helping...

Strengthening Disaster Response: Volunteers Take Part in 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Search Exercise

More than 80 search and rescue volunteers. Three provinces. One mission: be ready when disaster strikes. Last month, SARVAC President Janelle Coultes joined volunteers from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba for the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Search Exercise (MJSE) in...

Thanks TD for $25,000 Donation Supporting Humanitarian Workforce Program

The Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) is pleased to recognize TD for its generous $25,000 donation in support of SARVAC's Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) Program. This investment will help strengthen SARVAC's ability to support communities across...

New Hug-A-Tree and Survive Video

Exciting news! SARVAC is pleased to launch a newly revised version of the Hug-A-Tree and Survive video which is now available on AdventureSmart.ca in both official languages. The new video incorporates the use of an emergency shelter, which is consistent with the...

Mabel Lake, BC – Missing Women

In the early morning of November 11th, 2015, Vernon Search and Rescue was called out to search for two missing women in the Mabel Lake - Kingfisher area, east of Enderby, BC, Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhvY5F8ncKM

Prince Edward Island Ground SAR

Search and Rescue began on Prince Edward Island in 1995 with the establishment of a search and rescue team in West Prince, P.E.I.. The team was created in response to a missing person's case when trained searchers had to be brought in from out of province.  Cst. Terry...

New Brunswick Ground SAR

What began as a letter published in 1983 in the Fredericton newspaper as a desire to have a trained team to respond to lost person emergencies, turned into the creation of the first New Brunswick team on December 20, 1983.  Since it's initial formation, NB Ground...

Nova Scotia Ground SAR

Search and Rescue in Nova Scotia started officially in November of 1969 after a 5 day search in the Cape Breton Highlands for a father of 5, who was found alive. While he was in the hospital recovering, Cape Breton Search and Rescue was created. Since then another 23...

Newfoundland and Labrador SAR

  Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s most easterly province, with Cape Spear recognized as the most easterly point in North America. The island portion of the province is the tenth largest island in the world. At 111,390 square kilometres, it rivals, in area,...

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