Funding announced to improve search and rescue response
Posted April 16, 2012 5:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The federal government is spending more than $8 million on life-saving equipment, tools and training programs to improve search and rescue response across the country.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement Sunday in Halifax.
Speaking on Global News, he says the money reflects the government’s commitment to boost search and rescue capabilities.
“To summarize, what this money is all about, is really about improving the overall capacity,” he said.
MacKay says the funding reflects the government’s commitment to boost search and rescue capabilities.
Nineteen projects will receive funding, including search and rescue mapping technology in PEI. The Canadian Coast Guard Association in Newfoundland and Labrador is also getting money for new training supplies.
No projects in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick received funding, though MacKay says they’ll still benefit from the funding.
“There are projects that have national scope in every single project or territory,” he said.
Ottawa has faced questions in recent months over search and rescue services, particularly in Atlantic Canada.
The death of 14-year-old Burton Winters in Labrador earlier this year raised concerns after the military could not immediately deploy helicopters from 5 Wing Goose Bay to find him because they were out of commission.
Last week, the federal government announced it is adding another chopper to that base’s fleet.
