Local Nunavut search and rescue orgs struggle with money

Local search and rescue organizations in Nunavut perform a vital task, but many are struggling financially, MLAs learned last week. (FILE PHOTO)

Community search and rescue organizations in Nunavut, also known by the acronym “SARO,” remain a vital cog in the territory’s emergency response infrastructure.

But they struggle to maintain their government funding, Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak said Nov. 3 in the legislative assembly.

Many SAROs have fallen out of good standing with the territory’s Registrar of Societies because they can’t meet specific accounting requirements outlined by the Government of Nunavut — making them ineligible for funding.

“A number of search and rescue organizations may not have the technology or software that is needed to complete these reports and meet the standards set out in the departments policies,” Mikkungwak said during question period.

“Under these circumstances, SAROs may have to resort to using personal equipment to meet the reporting requirements and receive funding.”

Last year, the GN’s director of protection services, Ed Zebedee, called for an expansion of the territory’s emergency SAR infrastructure.

Currently, there are five Canadian Coast Guard vessels and three auxiliary stations available to serve 24 coastal communities in Nunavut — which make the locally operated SAROs indispensible for protecting communities.

That’s especially true in remote and inland areas.

In comparison, the Northwest Territories has 13 Coast Guard auxiliaries serving two seaside communities.

“Some of them [Nunavut SAROs] occasionally have problems when it comes to accounting or even when they are trying to get society status,” the minister of Community and Government Services Johnny Mike, said when Mikkungwak brought up the issue again Nov. 5.

“We try to work closely with the hamlet offices and councils, because we want to see the SAR function properly.”

To qualify for GN funding, SAROs review and prepare proposals in line with the Community Based Search and Rescue Contributions Policy, which available on the GN website.

Under the policy, qualified SAROs are entitled to a maximum of $5,000 in reimbursements funds from the GN.

Mikkungwak said, however, that the current version available on the GN website has expired

Some provisions in the policy were scheduled to end May 31, 2008.

Mike promised the MLA that both issues are currently under review by his department.

“As I stated earlier this is under review presently. You’ll probably hear about the reviews in the winter session,” said the minister.

That’s due to start Feb. 24, 2016.

The fall sitting of Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly concluded Nov. 5, prior to the start of a leadership review Nov. 7, at which Netsilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk, the family services minister, failed a non-confidence vote.

The assembly reconvened briefly Nov. 7 to deal with a motion that would have removed Ugyuk from cabinet, but she did not give unanimous consent to proceed.

On Nov. 9, Ugyuk quit as MLA for Netisilik, which takes in the communities of Taloyoak and Kugaaruk. MLAs chose Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes and Arviat South MLA Joe Savikataaq to fill two vacant cabinet spots — Ugyuk’s and the spot opened up earlier this year by the resignation of Tom Sammurtok.

They reconvened again to vote Hickes and Savikataaq onto the executive council, then adjourned until next year.

Meanwhile, Elections Nunavut must hold a by-election in Netsilik within six months.