News

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...

Remembering Kevin “Dwight” Holloway

It is with great sadness that the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) shares the passing of Kevin “Dwight” Holloway, a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for search and rescue in Canada. Dwight served as SARVAC’s Executive Director from...

SARVAC President Janelle Coultes Appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada

SARVAC is pleased to announce that President Janelle Coultes has been appointed Co-Chair of the Ground Search and Rescue Council of Canada (GSARCC). The GSAR Council of Canada brings together provincial and territorial search and rescue authorities, along with...

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,...

Quebec Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (AQBRS)

Quebec search and rescue volunteer Association (AQBRS) (Association Québécoise des bénévoles en recherché et Sauvetage) The Quebec search and rescue volunteer association was created in 2002. The creation of our non-profit organization was to unite the strengths of...

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