EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The terms and conditions for the contribution component of the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) were approved by the Treasury Board on August 30, 2005 and are valid until March 31, 2010. Prior to seeking approval for the continuation of the program a summative evaluation must be performed. The mandate for this independent program evaluation is therefore derived from the above requirement.

SAR NIF provides funding for new initiatives that will improve and enhance elements of the National Search and Rescue Program. The funding program provides funds to eligible recipients through two financial mechanisms – contribution agreements (for Vote 10 projects) and transfers to managing departments via the Parliamentary Estimates process (for Vote 1 & 5 projects). The scope of this evaluation considers only the Vote 10 contribution component of the SAR NIF program, which comprises approximately 50% or $4 million of the SAR NIF’s annual allocated budget of $8.1 million.

The SAR NIF is a horizontal program managed in partnership with other federal, provincial and territorial SAR organizations. Eligible recipients of the SAR NIF contributions are provincial and territorial governments, profit and not-for-profit Canadian organizations from volunteer, academic or private sectors and individuals with responsibilities in the National SAR Program.

The evaluation has confirmed the many benefits and advantages accrued to Canadians as a result of the SAR NIF contributions. The contribution program’s positive aspects include the following:

• There is overwhelming agreement amongst proponents that the program continues to address a demonstrable need and is responsive to the needs of Canadians.
• Many of the search and rescue organizations staffed by volunteers profess that without SAR NIF they would be hard pressed to function effectively.
• The SAR NIF program remains relevant and important to the DND/CF as it contributes directly to one of the three programs identified in the Program Activity Architecture (PAA).
• There is strong agreement amongst most survey respondents and supported by documents examined that the TBS Policy on Transfer Payments is now respected.

Areas recommended for program improvement include the following:

• The NSS website should include appropriate and up-to-date information regarding the SAR NIF program, including examples of successful initiatives recently undertaken. This would be of considerable help to applicants.
• As part of the SAR NIF contribution program renewal process, the NSS should explore the possibility of creating a more efficient and equitable method to provide funding for provincially sponsored projects designed to support volunteer groups. The NSS should also review the omnibus process and determine the effectiveness of this strategic method of providing funds.
• The renewal process should also explore ways to considerably shorten the contribution approval time span to Government of Canada / DND norms
• The rules of engagement for the Merit Board should be re-examined with a view to take into consideration the need for improvement expressed by the members.
• The NSS should ensure that the SAR NIF information systems are robust enough to satisfy government financial requirements as well as program management and user needs. It should be able to track the authorized carry forward to the next year of unspent SAR NIF project dollars at fiscal year-end.
• Finally with the renewal of SAR NIF, the NSS should ensure that the Program Management Strategy includes an appropriate auditing and evaluation framework along with the requirement for systematic collection of performance information and the regular issuance of an annual report on SAR NIF operations. This would considerably strengthen the public perception of accountability on the part of the program.

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