Parks Canada ends 55-year avalanche dog rescue program

Parks Canada has officially ended its canine search and rescue program in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, a decision that terminates a 55-year practice of using dogs to locate missing hikers, skiers, and crime victims in Banff National Park.

The agency announced last week that it would eliminate its final dog handler position as part of a $145 million cut to its operating budget. This reduction is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's government-wide effort to lower the public deficit. The change takes effect immediately, leaving the park without a dedicated animal unit for the first time since the program began.

For decades, these dogs, often referred to as avalanche dogs, served as critical tools for locating people trapped under snow and identifying evidence in criminal investigations. Scott Ward, a retired handler who served for 17 years, described the dogs as capable of tracking anything from a small paper clip to a human body. In winter, they reduced the time rescuers spent probing snow and lowered the risk of secondary avalanches. In summer, they helped locate children who wandered away from campsites.

The most recent dog in the program was a German Shepherd named Leroy, who retired in August. During his seven years on duty, Leroy assisted in tracking 156 individuals, helped find 57 people lost in the wilderness, and contributed to solving two murders in Banff. A replacement canine was trained and ready for assignment before the agency issued the notice of elimination.

The removal of the role has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and the public. William Stevenson, the Conservative Member of Parliament for the Banff area, launched a petition on Tuesday to restore the position. As of Thursday, more than 5,000 people had signed the document. Stevenson argued that while he supports tighter government spending, cutting this specific resource poses a direct risk to public safety.

"How could they possibly make such a bad choice in where to cut?" Stevenson told the BBC. He raised the issue during a late parliamentary sitting on Thursday, demanding a meeting with the CEO of Parks Canada to discuss the decision.

Parks Canada confirmed the move to the BBC, describing it as a difficult but necessary step to modernize its law enforcement branch. The agency stated that search and rescue operations would continue through other means, though it has not yet disclosed the specific cost of administering the canine program.

In response to Stevenson's questions in parliament, Ryan Turnball, a Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary for finance, said the government is focused on ensuring public funds support growth, resilience, and the well-being of Canadians. He emphasized the need to reduce the national deficit while maintaining essential services.

Other countries, including Italy, continue to rely on canines for mountain search and rescue. Ward, who is now 73, said the program provided a gratifying career and that the loss represents a major gap in safety resources for both the public and park staff. He recalled advice from an old warden who taught him: "You can make an armpit smell like a lilac bush and you can put a man on the moon, but nothing can replace the nose of the avalanche dog."

Banff National Park attracts more than four million visitors annually from around the world. The agency's decision to proceed with the cut despite having a trained dog ready for duty has left local advocates and former handlers seeking a reversal of the policy.