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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Over the last month there has been a lot
of media interest surrounding the lawsuit involving Golden Search and Rescue
and the subsequent withdrawal of Golden SAR’s services. SAR Alberta has
been pressing the insurance issue with government of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Alberta</st1:place></st1:State> both through AEMA and the Minister’s
office. Meetings were also held with the Solicitor General, and MP and
federal Minister of Labour Rona Ambrose. Following are summaries of each of
those meetings. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>SAR Alberta will also be sending out a
letter to all the MLA’s in the province explaining how SAR works in this
province and the important role search and rescue has at a community level. We
are encouraging all teams to contact their MLA’s this summer to discuss
with them the various issues around SAR.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Don Drebert and myself also meet with
Colin Lloyd of AEMA and discussed how our two organizations can better move
forward. I will be sending out a separate email that summarizes that
discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>If you have any questions on the information
below please contact your regional rep or myself.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Monica Ahlstrom<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>President SAR Alberta<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Meetings with Ministers<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Over the last two weeks meetings have been held with two
provincial Ministers and one federal one on the insurance issue. Following are
summaries of those meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Ministers</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Minister Ray Danyluk</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> – Minister for Municipal
Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) falls under
his portfolio<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>June 24, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>On June 24 VP Don Drebert and President Monica Ahlstrom met
with Minister Danyluk to discuss the insurance issue in regard to search and
rescue. Two of the Minister’s staff members were also present. We
presented the Minister with the insurance coverage options available for search
and rescue from the SARVAC program that was set up in conjunction with Algoma
insurance. Algoma has quoted that to cover all the teams in the province with
liability insurance, directors and officers insurance and extended disability
it would cost around $75,000 plus tax for $2 million liability or around
$90,000 plus tax for $5 million liability. We also mentioned that there was a
initiative underway by SARVAC to have the insurance covered nationally.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Minister Danyluk noted that he did not want to duplicate
service as it was his understanding that individuals are covered when they are
tasked by the RCMP and the municipalities. This is not entirely true –
the RCMP policy from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Ottawa</st1:City></st1:place>
does provide for coverage for various volunteers when under the direction of
the RCMP and search and rescue would be under that coverage – so
according to the RCMP there would be liability protection – but only when
you are tasked. Golden is being sued for not responding – they
didn’t respond because they were not tasked…. So they therefore
would not be covered. There also needs to be more research on whether or not
you are covered when you are tasked by the EPS or Calgary Police. The coverage
also does not extend to the society itself which is considered a legal entity
under the law. So if you are an individual on a board you would not be covered
if you did not have extra insurance.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Minister was also told that you are covered by the
municipality when you go out on a disaster. In speaking with Jubilee Insurance
– this may not be the case either, SAR Groups that have coverage with
Jubilee are definitely covered but how groups are covered by a municipality
when they are tasked needs to be clarified, at least to SAR Alberta and the
groups. It was pointed out that it may be cheaper in the long run to have every
team in the province covered by the Algoma or another broad policy than to try
and fix all the gaps that exist by individual policies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Though we asked the Minister to consider the Algoma
insurance coverage for the whole province – it was decided that some time
would be spent looking at all the options and what is actually going on now. A
number of teams do have insurance coverage through Jubilee insurance which is
an insurance program set up by the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts
and Counties. The teams under this policy have at least $15 million coverage
– Jubilee is looking at their coverage to ensure that there are no gaps
for search and rescue volunteers. Having all the teams covered by Jubilee
may be another option.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Minister also noted that a bill is being put forward,
Bill 49, that will protect volunteer fire fighters from being sued in the first
place. There was some suggestion that this could be an option for SAR as well. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Because the insurance issue is complex we agreed that SAR
Alberta will work with the Executive Assistant to the Minister Ethan Bayne, and
with the Executive Director of Operations for AEMA Colin Lloyd, to research all
the options and find a solution. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>However, the issue can’t drag out for any length of
time as it is neither fair nor appropriate for the government to expect SAR
groups and individuals to continue to expose themselves to the risk of a
lawsuit without support. Colin Lloyd, has committed to working on this
issue directly –however, he is away until the 13<sup>th</sup> of
July. The Minister’s Assistant has been researching the issue as
have I. By the end of July there should be some meaningful decision made
on this issue. SAR Alberta will seek <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>written</span></b>
confirmation on all the insurance issues and policies.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Outcomes:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<ol style='margin-top:0cm' start=1 type=1>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>AEMA, the Ministers Office and
SAR Alberta will research all the options and come up with a solution to
the insurance issue.</span></font> <font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>SAR Alberta is and will remain
under Municipal Affairs through AEMA – and AEMA will work with SAR
Alberta to give search and rescue the administrative support it needs</span></font>
<font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ol>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Overall it was a positive first meeting with a willingness
on all parts to work through the insurance issue<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Solicitor General and Minister of Public
Security Fred Lindsay <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>June 30, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Minister Fred Lindsay – SAR Alberta President Monica
Ahlstrom<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Minister Lindsay and I met on June 30 to discuss the SAR
insurance issue. Minister Lindsay happens to be the MLA for the region in which
I live. He was interested in the insurance issue and was given the information
on the Algoma insurance. He asked if Minister Danyluk had offered to cover the
cost of the insurance. I noted that all the options were being reviewed
and that Minister Danyluk was trying to avoid duplication of coverage. Minister
Lindsay understood that but suggested we get everything in writing from all
parties involved, including the RCMP. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I asked that the Solicitor General and his department make a
conscious effort to stay in the loop with search and rescue as we are a major
resource for the police in this province. He asked that he be kept informed on
the insurance issue and had asked for more information on the work SAR does in
particular in respect to evidence searches. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I will be gathering that information, with help from the
statistics Rodney Dietrich gathered earlier, and will be sending Minister
Lindsay the information early next week.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>MP and Minister of Labour Rona Ambrose<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>SAR Alberta President and Past
President SARVAC - Monica Ahlstrom <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>July 2, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Minister Ambrose is the federal Member of Parliament for the
area in which I live. She was interested in knowing more about the insurance
issue – not only from a provincial perspective but also from a federal
one.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I gave her an overview of the situation in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place> and SAR Alberta’s meeting with
Minister Danyluk – she suggested that I also meet with Solicitor General
Fred Lindsay – and was glad to hear that I had already done that.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The discussion centered around SARVAC and the role that it
plays nationally and how their could be a national solution to the insurance
issue through the National SAR Champion – the RCMP. She was
interested in the various political entities involved in SAR at the federal
level and noted that having an agency like the National Search and Rescue
Secretariat could help cut through the many jurisdictional issues at the
federal level. She noted jurisdictional issues are a common problem that affect
a lot of issues within government. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>She has asked her staff to pass on information around the
insurance issue to the Minister of Public Safety – the RCMP fall under
that Ministry federally. She is also going to encourage that Minister to meet
with the President of SARVAC to discuss the insurance issue and the issue of
the national champion for GSAR. She noted she will be watching to see how the
issue is handled in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alberta</st1:State></st1:place>
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>SARVAC will be sending me some follow up information to pass
on to Minister Ambrose.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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