I know for a fact that a SAR response in B.C. will not incur a cost to those being rescued. I did 8 years as a Ground and Inland Waters SAR tech/team leader in the Prince George area before moving back to Calgary last fall so i'm speaking from professional experience
To the best of my knowledge, in general SAR response in Canada outside of a national park and a few specific other areas is a volunteer job just as it is in B.C. and follows the same basic guidelines.
SAR response is taxpayer funded and most SAR groups are against making it a user pay service as it is in the U.S. because of people hesitating to call.