e-4203 (Public safety)

Search and Rescue (SAR) is a shared responsibility among federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal organizations, as well as air, ground and maritime volunteer SAR organizations. Moreover, National Defence’s contribution to emergency response is part of the broader emergency management planning that is led by Public Safety Canada.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is responsible for aeronautical incidents and the effective operation of the coordinated aeronautical and maritime search and rescue system. Newfoundland and Labrador is within the Halifax Search and Rescue Region, and the following units support SAR in this region:

• 413 Squadron (Greenwood, Nova Scotia), which maintains one CC130 Hercules aircraft and one CH149 Cormorant on 24/7 SAR standby;
• 103 Squadron (Gander, Newfoundland), which maintains one CH149 Cormorant on 24/7 SAR standby;
• 444 Squadron (Goose Bay, Labrador), which operates CH146 Griffon helicopters that can be made available to support SAR operations when needed.

Ultimately, SAR squadrons are strategically locatedacross the country, according to the historical distribution of distress incidents, in order to provide the most effective SAR response to the greatest number of potential incidents.

NORAD Modernization

As part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) modernization, the investments to improve and adapt infrastructure and sustainment capabilities include upgrades to four operating locations used by NORAD in Canada’s North: three Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) in Inuvik, Yellowknife and Iqaluit, and at 5 Wing Goose Bay.

As a strategic location for NORAD operations and for the defence of North America, the investments that the Government of Canada is making at 5 Wing are an important part of the overall NORAD modernization plan. While site development plans and engagements are ongoing National Defence expects to make upgrades to accommodate Canada’s new F-35 fleet and to support a more robust NORAD and CAF presence as needed, which will include upgrades at 5 Wing Goose Bay. These upgrades will strengthen Canada’s contribution to NORAD and enhance our safety and security in the evolving threat environment. The potential impact of investments in NORAD modernization on SAR capabilities is expected to be limited.

In implementing these investments, National Defence has undertaken routine and ongoing engagements with Northern provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments and organizations, to build relationships and hear their priorities related to NORAD modernization investments. These discussions have set the stage for ongoing discussions at the three FOLs and at 5 Wing Goose Bay, so modernization initiatives are implemented in a manner that maximizes opportunities and benefits for Indigenous and Northern partners. Initial in person engagements with the town of Happy-Valley Goose Bay, the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government took place on June 6-7, 2023, and a virtual engagement with NunatuKavut will take place later this summer.

In this capacity, National Defence will continue to support the government’s ability to provide the necessary urgent response to emergencies and identifying potential gaps as part of its continued work to inform emergency management planning and bolster appropriate emergency response resources and capabilities as required.