Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
As a city councillor here in St. John's, it's my duty to welcome you to St. John's as well, so I hope you enjoy your stay here.
But today I'm not representing the views of the City of St. John's or my colleagues on council. Rather, I am here as a family member who was impacted by the crash of Cougar Flight 491. My brother Peter was lost aboard that flight. Before that day, when you would hear of tragedies like this, you would think to yourself, “I can't imagine what the families are going through”: we now know what they go through.
We all know of the dangers of working offshore, whether it be in the oil or the fishing industry, but we can never be prepared for the immense tragedy and loss that occurred that day.
As a city councillor, I also represent the east end of St. John's, and in that area there are many workers in the offshore, and many who travel offshore to do those duties. You can sense, by talking to them, the concern they have over the response times if they ever get in trouble.
Those aboard the helicopter that day were only doing what is done every day across our province and country by men and women going to work to provide for themselves and their families.
Historically in Newfoundland, many people have worked and continue to work in the industries related to the ocean, whether it be in fishing, the oil industry, or shipping, industries from which the province and our country derive many economic benefits from their hard work. It seems to me that a basic protection for those people would be knowing that in an emergency and a life-threatening situation help is available in a timely fashion.
It is certainly not within my area of expertise to offer technical advice on search and rescue, nor do I feel the need to reiterate the issues that have been discussed and well documented over the past 30 years. But I do know that the time for talking about improved search and rescue is long over and the time for action is here. It is your committee that we look to for that action.
Beginning with the royal commission on the Ocean Ranger, and with the latest report by Justice Wells into the crash of Cougar Flight 491, recommendations to improve search and rescue response times have not been dealt with adequately by the Government of Canada. Many, including me, are left to believe that this shows either a lack of understanding or, to some, even a lack of respect for who we are as a people and how we make our livelihood.
As I said previously, the case for improved search and rescue capabilities is well documented and proven. Now we need this committee to hopefully promote recommendations that have been long overlooked and to implement a plan.
Certainly, the first priority should be to provide 24-7 coverage with the shortest possible response times. Secondly, a fully equipped search and rescue unit should be stationed in St. John's. Finally, a fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft should be based in Gander, while Gander should remain the centre for search and rescue on the island.
I realize that with any service finances are limited and costs are always of concern. However, in this case, it is not the cost of implementing proper search and rescue capabilities that is important. It is the cost of not doing so.
On a final note, it is unfortunate that these hearings were held here this week in advance of the Transportation Safety Board's report on the crash of Flight 491, which will be released next Wednesday. I expect that report will contain important information, and I urge you to take it into account in your deliberations.
Thank you very much.