Petition to the Government of Canada
 

Whereas:

• For more than 55 years, Parks Canada's search and rescue dog program has played a critical role in protecting public safety, locating missing persons, and supporting emergency response operations in Canada's mountain national parks;

• Search and rescue dogs have proven particularly valuable in avalanche rescue operations, helping locate buried victims while minimizing the time rescue personnel spend exposed to dangerous terrain and the risk of secondary avalanches;

• The program has also assisted in locating missing individuals in remote wilderness areas and supported law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in tracking suspects and detecting illegal drugs;

• In Banff National Park, one search and rescue dog alone tracked 156 individuals, located 57 missing people, assisted in avalanche rescues, and helped recover remains, bringing closure to grieving families, during just seven years of service;

• Parks Canada's decision to discontinue its long-standing search and rescue dog program in Banff National Park raises serious concerns about emergency preparedness, public safety, and the ability to respond effectively to life-threatening situations in remote mountain environments;

• Eliminating this specialized capability could increase risks to both park visitors and rescue personnel, particularly during time-sensitive emergencies involving avalanches, extreme weather, and difficult terrain;

• Canada's national parks attract millions of visitors annually, and ensuring their safety requires maintaining effective, well-equipped, and specialized emergency response capabilities.