Yes, I've heard.
Evidence of meeting #43 for National Defence in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was helicopter.
Evidence of meeting #43 for National Defence in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was helicopter.
3:30 p.m.
Inquiry Commissioner, Inquiry into Matters Respecting Helicopter Passenger Safety for Workers in the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area, Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry
Yes, I've heard.
3:30 p.m.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
So we're almost working at cross-purposes, instead of augmenting one another in the way that's being proposed on the west coast. Rather than being in competition, we could be complementing one another.
Have there been any actions or even discussions on pooling resources, as opposed to working at odds with one another in some situations?
3:30 p.m.
Inquiry Commissioner, Inquiry into Matters Respecting Helicopter Passenger Safety for Workers in the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area, Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry
There hasn't been one on pooling resources, but when, during this commission, the issue of a closer liaison between DND and the oil operators' helicopter operator and first response provider came up, I recommended a formal protocol if DND was prepared to enter into one, and I think there can be closer cooperation.
I'll tell you a little anecdote that came up as surprise to me, but a very happy surprise. I spoke to the International Regulators Offshore Safety conference in Vancouver back in the fall, and I was talking to an industry representative from Nova Scotia. He told me that after my letters to Mr. Ruelokke on improving the response time and the dedicated helicopter went around the industry--in this area, at any rate--they began to think about it. Whereas they had flown without reference to DND, after the letter they started thinking about it.
They only have one helicopter in their fleet in Nova Scotia. They worked out an informal system whereby, if they are going to fly, they first get in touch with DND. They tell them they want to fly today, tomorrow, or whatever, and they ask them what resources they have. I was told--and this person was in a position to know--that if DND does not have the resources available, they don't fly. However, DND is alerted that they're going to fly, and there's this liaison. Two or three of my recommendations talk about a closer liaison between DND and the private or oil operators' helicopter operator.
3:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Maxime Bernier
Thank you very much.
I want to thank Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Clay, Ms. Fagan, and the Honourable Mr. Wells for your presence here this afternoon.
We'll have a short pause pour quatre minutes, and we'll be back for our other session.
Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.