Western Canada, home to some of the country’s most severe natural disasters, is experiencing a critical shortage of disaster volunteers. Wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events are increasing, yet many willing participants face barriers that prevent them from stepping forward.
Adding to this crisis, the federally funded Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) program—designed to support trained volunteer deployment through key NGOs—is set to expire in just 13 months. Without renewal, Canada will lose a major disaster management tool that provides surge capacity in times of crisis. Organizations such as The Canadian Red Cross, Team Rubicon Canada, The Salvation Army, and SARVAC depend on this funding to recruit, train, and deploy volunteers when disasters strike. If the program is not renewed, disaster response teams will be left critically understaffed.
Meanwhile, Manitoba municipalities have begun offering volunteer training through the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) program. This initiative provides local disaster response training, equipping volunteers to assist first responders and support community resilience during emergencies. However, like the federal HWF program, C.E.R.T. depends on volunteers and faces the same challenges. Limited recruitment, restrictive training requirements, and a lack of financial support make sustaining a well-trained volunteer disaster workforce difficult.
My recent research on disaster volunteerism through Royal Roads University surveyed 120 participants nationwide, with 41% from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Despite 73% of participants expressing a strong desire to volunteer, only 4% were able to commit to long-term roles due to systemic barriers such as time constraints, training requirements, and lack of transportation support.
A lack of scheduling flexibility is one of the biggest challenges. The study found that 63% of Western Canadian participants prefer short-term, episodic volunteer opportunities, but NGOs like the Canadian Red Cross and Team Rubicon Canada typically structure roles around long-term commitments. Many potential volunteers cannot commit to extensive training and long-term deployments, leading to a growing gap between disaster response needs and volunteer availability.
The study also found that 86% of Western Canadian participants had never heard of the HWF program, which funds NGOs such as The Salvation Army and SARVAC to strengthen Canada’s disaster response. Many potential volunteers do not know where to sign up, what training is required, or how to get involved.
Some participants expressed distrust or frustration with NGO management. Several indicated that rigid policies, unpaid training, and inconsistent communication discouraged them from continuing to volunteer. Others expressed concern that favouritism within organizations and unpaid labour expectations created an unfair system where staff received compensation while volunteers took on labour-intensive roles.
Over 80% of Western Canadian participants believe the rising frequency of disasters is increasing the demand for trained volunteers. However, without addressing logistical barriers, many are unable to contribute. Thirty percent of participants cited transportation challenges, particularly in suburban and rural areas, where access to disaster response training is limited.
C.E.R.T. volunteers in Manitoba face similar difficulties. While the program provides valuable emergency training at the municipal level, many volunteers lack the resources to travel to training sites or cover personal expenses related to disaster response. Without financial and logistical support, these local teams will struggle to remain operational, leaving communities without trained responders during critical emergencies.
Many participants said they would be more likely to volunteer if they received better support. The study found that 57% would step up if they received a stipend or tax deduction, while 51% said formal recognition, such as medals or certificates, would encourage them to stay involved.
To sustain volunteer engagement, disaster response organizations—both federal and municipal—must address the challenges that discourage participation. Whether at the national level with the HWF program or the local level with C.E.R.T. teams in Manitoba, volunteers need:
- More flexible training and deployment options
- Financial incentives to cover expenses
- Better public outreach and recruitment efforts
With HWF funding set to expire, Western Canada’s disaster response capacity is at risk. NGOs will face major funding gaps if the program is not renewed, and volunteer shortages will likely worsen. Without urgent action, Western Canada’s ability to respond to disasters may be severely compromised. Expanding outreach, adapting policies to better support part-time volunteers, and offering more financial incentives may be key to strengthening Western Canada’s disaster response network before the HWF program disappears.
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