The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of
Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador supports all of the recommendations
of Commissioner Robert Wells of the Offshore Helicopter Safety
Inquiry.
"Commissioner Wells has conducted a thorough
inquiry into offshore helicopter safety in Newfoundland and
Labrador and our government supports all 29 of the
recommendations he has put forth," said Premier Dunderdale.
"Recommendation 29 suggests that a separate agency to regulate
safety in the offshore industry be established and as this
recommendation requires changes to the Atlantic Accord Acts,
we will immediately commence discussion with the Government of
Canada."
The Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry was
established by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore
Petroleum Board in April 2009 after the March 12, 2009 crash of
Cougar 491 which resulted in the loss of 17 of 18 individuals on
board the helicopter. Commissioner Wells released his report
into helicopter safety November 17, 2010.
"Safety in our oil and gas industry is
paramount and the recommendations of Commissioner Wells provide
for enhanced measures to protect the workers who travel
offshore," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of
Natural Resources. "I look forward to the cooperation of those
involved in the industry, including both levels of government,
the regulator and operators and most importantly, the workers,
as steps are taken to implement the recommendations. While
tragic circumstances led to this inquiry, I believe we have an
opportunity to ensure positive changes result."
The Provincial Government will discuss
Recommendation 29 with the Government of Canada, which has
joint-management responsibility, to move forward as quickly as
possible to establish a separate safety agency. Any changes to
legislation to create a new agency must also be consistent with
the joint-management principles that are a fundamental part of
the Atlantic Accord. The Provincial Government also supports the
action undertaken by the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador
Offshore Petroleum Board to immediately undertake administrative
separation of safety operations.
"This industry has meant so much to the people
of Newfoundland and Labrador in our recent history and we have a
responsibility to ensure it is conducted in a manner which
maximizes safety for workers," said Premier Dunderdale. "Safety
in the offshore has always been, and will remain, a priority for
our government."
-30-