North Shore Rescue to talk funding with local Liberal MP

North Vancouver Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson says he wantsto helpNorth Shore Rescue solve its funding problems.

But first, Wilkinson said he mustdetermine if the federal government is the correct jurisdictionto provide those funds.

"If it ends up being an area of federal jurisdiction thenI would obviously take this to Ottawa and look for a way in which to address the needs that North Shore Rescue has put out there," Wilkinsontold CBC News.

"But we haven't yet determined, A, what the request is or, B, which level of government is the most appropriate to actually address those requirements."

North Shore Rescue Team leader Mike Danks says heplans to meet with Wilkinson on Tuesday.Danks saidhe's never before met the Liberal MP.

"I look forward to the meeting and I really hope that we can find a solution that's sustainable for the long-term," he said. "I feel, you know, if he's come out and said this in public then you know, I believe he's going to stand behind what he's suggesting.

"So, yeah I'm hopeful."

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Funding has always been a problem for North Shore Rescue, which is the most prominent rescue group in the province, mainlybecause of the close proximityof the North Shore's rugged mountain terrain todowntown Vancouver.

"Even if you get 200 metres off a trail it can be problematic," said Wilkinson, added that using the North Shore trails are a way of life for many.

"And they do that with the comfort of knowing that if they do get into significant trouble that North Shore Rescue is there to ensure that they can actually get out of that trouble."

The rescue grouphas never been busier getting people out of trouble. In 2015, it responded to a record 136 calls and is on pace this year to break thatrecordbecause, Danks said,not enough people heed the group'swarning to properly plan trips and stay safe.

$500,000 budget

It costs $500,000 each year to keep NSR going, Dankssaid. Itsradio licenses alonecost $10,000 each year.

"That all comes from public donations for our team," said Danks, who,like all the other rescuers in the group,is a volunteer.

The goal of Danks' predecessor, the lateTim Jones, was to secure morefunding so the outfit could focus on what it does best helppeople indanger.

"It's about sustainability, it's about taking the pressure off volunteers to fundraise on an annual basis to try to maintain operations," said Danks.

While Wilkinson says he's committed to helping the rescue group, he says he still needs to know how they wish to be funded, for example as paid members or as a professional service.