National Defence committee  Excellent questions. The good news, I think, is that we have never deployed it operationally, and that means we haven't had a situation requiring it. That doesn't mean it wasn't available. The last time that I'm aware we had it on alert and preparing it was Swissair 111, which

National Defence committee  The kit itself is about 11,000 pounds of tentage, with heaters and generators. So it's a very capable winter shelter with medical supplies, provisions, food, and some other things you need in a survival scenario. Once it's parachuted in with our army paratrooping team, they can s

National Defence committee  I'd prefer not to describe at great length the coast guard capabilities. Other than that, I did mention that we are co-located with coast guard personnel in the RCCs, the rescue coordination centres. I think it's significant that with the coast guard in a controlling agency with

National Defence committee  Which question, the fixed-wing SAR base? You mentioned aircraft, but I knew you were referring to the fixed-wing SAR basing. Again, I'm not familiar with the program. As it stands, my understanding is that we were replacing certain fleets, the Buffalo and the Hercules. I would as

National Defence committee  From a military perspective, there is a fairly significant training build, and it starts with the operational training units, where they actually convert from their other aircraft, whatever they've flown--or in the SAR techs from their schools--into the aircraft that will be thei

National Defence committee  It's difficult to presuppose where you should be at any given time in this business. This is a no-notice operation we're dealing with here. You may be fortunate to find your assets are in the proximity and you can respond faster, but most likely that's not going to be the case.

National Defence committee  That's an excellent question, sir. Prevention is a very important aspect. I spoke and John spoke a little bit about SAR response, but for the prevention program actually Transport Canada has the lead responsibility, and they do it through regulations. They have regional officer

National Defence committee  It's too bad we don't have more time.

National Defence committee  I can answer the question. It's fairly straightforward. Yes.

National Defence committee  If I may just add, from our resource mix, I think we got where we are through a number of years of experience. Looking at the level of service that we're providing the government and the Canadian population, it is proper at this time; it is efficient. But that's with respect to t

National Defence committee  The responsibility for SAR actually is kind of coordinated through an organization--ICAO. We are a member of that organization. Basically, all ICAO members agree on search and rescue boundaries. Those are not sovereign boundaries; those are totally different. So in the case of Ca

National Defence committee  Yes, sir, I would assume so. That's a representative thing over several years. But yes, if they recorded an incident, it's in the database.

National Defence committee  We actually have a very good working relationship with our northern neighbours, both Russia and the U.S. Our control centres and their control centres are in daily communication. Often we will use one of our SAR resources on the Great Lakes and in the Michigan area, areas in thei

National Defence committee  The exception is if it was a community activity that didn't reach our rescue coordinating centre for involvement. In other words, if it was something that was dealt with in the local area, it probably would not be, but if it was anything significant that had a federal resource, i

National Defence committee  In my personal view, not very long. I often wonder, when I'm flying in a commercial aircraft, what the chance of survival would be.