Canada expresses interest in improved arctic rescue capabilities

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ARTICLE: Senate committee calls for improvements to Arctic search-and-rescue capability

OTTAWA – A Senate committee is calling on the government to move some search-and-rescue aircraft to a central northern location to help ensure timely responses.

In a newly tabled report, the Senate committee on defence and national security notes air force rescue aircraft are currently based in southern Canada — far from Arctic emergencies.

It also calls on the government to make the purchase of new fixed-wing search-and-rescue planes its top military procurement priority.

In addition, the senators urge the Canadian Hydrographic Service to reallocate funds to update Arctic charts and create new ones.

Last summer a cruise ship ran aground in the Arctic.

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