Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR)

• Federal funding covers up to 75% of the total eligible project costs.
• The maximum federal contribution is $6,250,000 per agreement.
• The maximum yearly federal contribution is $1,250,000 per recipient within a 12-month period.
• Total Canadian government assistance from all levels (federal/provincial/municipal) cannot exceed 100% of total eligible expenditures for a project.
• Administrative expenditures associated with the project are eligible up to 10% of the funding agreement.

• The applicant must be a provincial or municipal legal entity responsible for managing one of the six HUSAR Task Forces located in Vancouver, Calgary, Brandon, Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax.
• The applicant must have a well-established internal governance and reporting structure.
• The proposed activities and expenditures must be eligible under the program terms (e.g., equipment purchase, training, interoperability exercises).
• The application must be complete and compliant with the program's Terms and Conditions.
• The application must be assessed as not carrying substantial risk by Public Safety's internal Risk Assessment Directive and must be approved by Public Safety Canada.

Who is eligible?

• Provincial legal entities managing one of Canada's six Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Forces
• Municipal legal entities responsible for the management of a HUSAR Task Force in Vancouver, Calgary, Brandon, Toronto, Montreal, or Halifax

Who is not eligible

• Companies that are not provincial or municipal legal entities responsible for managing one of the six urban search and rescue operational forces using heavy equipment (USAR).
• Private organizations, non-profit organizations or commercial enterprises that have no official mandate to manage such an operational force.

Eligible expenses

• Equipment purchase, along with associated operating and maintenance costs (including required supplies and items for HUSAR teams).
• Costs for instructors, facility rentals, equipment rentals, supplies, travel, food, and accommodation related to training or project activities.
• Direct operating and maintenance expenses to sustain projects, such as pallets, veterinarian costs, or warehouse leases for specialized vehicles.
• Expenses for the development, coordination, and execution of domestic interoperability or response exercises involving HUSAR Task Forces.
• Costs associated with participation in meetings, training, or exercises with U.S. emergency services, in accordance with relevant policies.
• Salaries, benefits, and overtime for administrative and operational employees engaged in eligible activities.
• Administrative project expenses, up to 10% of the funding agreement.
• Professional fees, including consulting, printing, audit, evaluation, and accounting fees.
• Certification or designation fees for groups, individuals, or canines.
• Honoraria or other reasonable expenses necessary for completing Task Force project activities.
• Costs for constructing or renovating HUSAR equipment storage or training facilities.
• Expenses to meet official language requirements.
• Other costs deemed necessary by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Eligible geographic areas

• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Calgary, Alberta
• Brandon, Manitoba
• Toronto, Ontario
• Montreal, Quebec
• Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Clarity in describing the activities and expected results of the project and their alignment with HUSAR Program objectives and organizational priorities.
• Comprehensive and itemized budget that discloses all revenues and expected expenditures for the project term.
• Provision of relevant supporting documentation, including an implementation plan with expected results, timelines, and data collection methodology, if requested.
• Demonstrated internal governance and reporting structure.
• Assessment of application risk as per Public Safety's internal Risk Assessment Directive.

• Funding agreements may be structured as multiyear agreements depending on the scope and duration of the project.
• Administrative expenditures related to the project are capped at 10% of the funding agreement.
• Applicants must comply with official language requirements as specified by the Official Languages Act.
• Applicants must disclose potential conflicts of interest and comply with federal ethics and lobbying regulations.