Just a note...in the story on canoe (i never read the CBC one fully) he has owned up to being stupid and seems to fully accept the bill that is coming.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2.../20443956.html
To the above the BC provincial search and rescue specialist does not think charging people is a good idea as it might make them less likely to call for help and they'll get themselves in an even worse situation.