Nunavut MLAs call for territorial search and rescue centre

Two Nunavut MLAs say developing a search-and-rescue operation centre within the territory could help improve response times when people go missing.

While volunteers often help with searches, Nunavut currently relies on military aid from Trenton, Ont., to conduct search and rescues. A territorial policy governing community-based contributions to search and rescues expires April 1 and is up for review.

Speaking in Inuktitut during the March 11 sitting of the Nunavut Legislature, Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki and Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk asked Community and Government Services Minister David Joanasie to bring an in-house solution into discussions with the federal government around that policy.

Joanasie said he was set to meet with the federal government March 17 and would update the assembly on what happens.

Kaernerk pointed to the capability within some Nunavut communities, such as Sanirajak — which lies in the heart of the North Baffin, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions — to operate such a service.

"The federal government has rebuilt the airstrip in Sanirajak and there are helicopter services in Sanirajak throughout the year," he said, according to a Hansard transcript. 

"I would strongly encourage the minister to make other communities have a say, so that they can benefit."

Malliki said communities are grateful for the support of the Canadian Armed Forces in doing air searches in the Arctic, but noted how far away the service is based.

"I believe that it would be beneficial if search and rescue aircraft could be permanently based at a central location in Nunavut, which could help to improve response times," Malliki said.

Though Joanasie said he couldn't immediately get into the details of the policy review, he said his department wants to involve all Nunavut's communities in improving it.

He added "the agenda is set" for his meetings with the federal government, but that he will be expressing concerns about how services are provided.

"We are a different jurisdiction and we have unique needs," he said.

MLAs in Nunavut have made several members' statements in the Legislature recently to thank search and rescue teams and volunteers for their efforts.

On March 10, Quttiktuq MLA David Akeeagok spoke about the search for his brother, who went seal hunting in January in Grise Fiord. Search and rescue team members followed his tracks, Akeeagok said, but they ended in the water. When they began checking cabins, they found him drying out his clothes and were able to return him to Grise Fiord.