I found this interesting headline on the front page of The Globe and Mail today.

The story asks why it took 10 days for this couple to be rescued.

The publics are the Blackburn family, the Kicking Horse Resort, the RCMP, the Golden District Search & Rescue Team, a private helicopter, the Purcell Helicopter Skiing company.

Feb. 15 Couple goes missing.
Feb. 17 Ski guide alerts Purcell Helicopter Skiing company to an SOS signal who alerts Kicking Horse Resort who checks for missing persons report, parking lot, unreturned skiis finding no indication of anyone missing. Kicking Horse Resort didn't launch a ground rescue search.

Feb. 21 Two more SOS signs were spotted and Purcell Helicopter Skiing company who in turn notified the RCMP who checked with the Golden District Search & Rescue Team who stated that the case had been looked into. Once again, no ground search was initiated. Ian Foss (spokesperson) from the Golden District S&R stated that "Nobody had actually been reported missing at this point. With no report of a missing person, it's hard to start a search." "Can't commence a search without an official order."
Feb.22 Rumors of spotted SOS signs are heard amongst the public. RCMP stated "We do get rumours all the time. So and so's missing, and so-an-so's lost. It's just a small town. When you hear a rumour they can only respond if the RCMP decides its worthwhile responding to."
Feb.23 The family puts out a missing persons bulletin.
Feb. 24 A private helicopter making its own search for the couple spots the fourth SOS. (Town Rumours resulted in public making its own search.)RCMP receive missing persons bulletin. RCMP said "We basically became aware that this missing couple from Quebec were the rescued people really as we were dealing with this incident." The last paragraph of the article states that the RCMP said they thought Ms. Fortin died of exposure. Mr. Foss said "it doesn't really sound like that" refusing to speculate further.