Nunavut search and rescue volunteers eligible for tax credit

Search and rescue volunteers will be eligible for an increased tax credit after Nunavut legislators passed an amendment to the territory’s Income Tax Act on Thursday.

A version of the tax credit was first introduced 15 years ago, the last time the Income Tax Act was amended, but was only available to volunteer firefighters.

“These proposed amendments recognize the significant contributions of both search and rescue volunteers and volunteer firefighters throughout the territory,” Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak said Thursday in the legislature.

Volunteer firefighters and search and rescue members will now be eligible for the credit, worth $722, after providing at least 50 hours of volunteer service in a year. Previously, 200 hours of volunteer service were required and the credit was $500.

The change comes into effect next year.

The Canadian government already allows search and rescue volunteers to claim a tax credit after providing 200 hours of eligible service in a year. This new benefit will be in addition to the federal one, Kusugak said.

Volunteers must be part of an official search and rescue association recognized by the Government of Nunavut.

“There are hundreds and hundreds of people across the territory who spend hours and days searching in the coldest of climates, in the harshest of environments, and I really appreciate the support for this bill,” Kusugak said.