The Arctic is a long way from Canada’s search and rescue techs

updated Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m.

If you live in Canada’s North, expert search and rescue assistance may lie thousands of kilometres away.

According to the Department of National Defence, “each Canadian Forces aircraft deployed on a search and rescue mission includes two search and rescue technicians [SAR techs]. These individuals are highly trained specialists who provide on-scene medical attention and rescue for aviators, mariners, and others in distress in remote or hard-to-reach areas.”

But the problem is that these SAR techs are stationed at bases far away from most of these “remote or hard-to-reach areas.”

And while the SAR techs may be trained in Arctic rescue, they aren’t based anywhere near the Arctic.

This challenge will become even more pronounced in the future as the North becomes “busier,” with increased polar overflights, maritime shipping, and economic development, says the Conference Board of Canada.

As the map below shows, virtually all SAR techs are stationed in Canada’s southern regions.

CFB Trenton, for example, which commands search and rescue in the vast majority of Canada’s North, is closer to the South American capital Quito, Ecuador, than it is to the military base at Alert, Nunavut.

Produced by the Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for the North, this map, released Nov. 1, is part of a series of maps designed to illustrate similarities and differences between Canada’s North and South and between northern regions, and to provide policy-directed research to decision makers.

Yukon M.P. Larry Bagnell, the Liberal Party critic for Arctic issues and northern development, said Nov. 2 that the map echoes the call for change that he has been advocating for the past five years.

“Quick action is required in every rescue mission, yet in the North, when a distress call goes out, we could be getting a response team from Comox B.C., Trenton Ontario, or Greenwood Nova Scotia.” said Bagnell, urging the federal government to act.

“Now is the time for the government to move on its four year old promise to replace the entire Search and Rescue fleet as there has been no progress to date on this file. Also, I believe that the government should station some of these aircraft and rescue teams in North of 60, to cut down the distance traveled on missions, and to improve response times,” Bagnell said. “If the Government can buy fighter jets quickly why can’t they replace these very old planes to protect the lives of the Canadian military, Northerners, and other Canadians.

Search and rescue technicians who are dispatched on Canadian Forces aircraft are stationed far away from the Arctic— where their services will be increasingly in demand, shows this map released Nov. 1 by the Conference Board of Canada. (IMAGE/CONFERENCE BOARD OF CANADA)