Text Size
Bookmark and Share
Municipal Affairs
March 7, 2012

House of Assembly Passes Resolution Regarding Search and Rescue

Amendments presented today in the House of Assembly strengthened a private member’s resolution regarding search and rescue capabilities which was debated and passed by members of the legislature.

“The commitment of our government to ensuring a strong capacity for search and rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador is unwavering,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services. “We live in a harsh environment and have experienced far too many tragedies both on land and at sea. The amendments put forth today include a call for the Federal Government to work with our government in implementing any recommendations that result from a review of search and rescue operational and deployment protocols that will strengthen the provision of services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The amended resolution also calls upon the Federal Government to consider establishing a permanent search and rescue capability at 5 Wing Goose Bay and to rescind the closure of the Maritime Rescue Sub-centre in St. John's. The amended resolution can be found in the backgrounder below.

“Our government has clearly expressed very serious concerns about the decision to close the Maritime Rescue Sub-centre,”said Minister O’Brien. “We strongly disagree with the position of the Federal Government that safety will not be impacted by this decision. I am pleased that Members of the House of Assembly joined with us today in further expressing our concern. We all have the same goal - to ensure the best provision of service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

- 30 -

Media contact:

Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
cherylgullage@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
Resolution As Amended

1) WHEREAS Newfoundland and Labrador is a vast land mass with a long coastline and huge areas of open ocean. Labrador alone has approximately 300,000 square kilometres with a coastline of almost 8,000km and many isolated communities, while the island portion has nearly 10,000km of coastline and a surface area of over 110,000 square kilometres;

2) AND WHEREAS the lifestyle of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for work and for recreation is connected to the land and the sea;

3) AND WHEREAS we have seen many tragedies and many lives lost due to distress at sea and on land, most recently the death of 14 year old Burton Winters of Makkovik Labrador;

4) AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has announced the closure of the Maritime Search and Rescue Sub Centre located in St. John’s thus impairing efficient and timely coordination of search and rescue services within the province;

1) THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this House, in light of the Burton Winters tragedy, calls upon the federal government to work with the provincial government in implementing any recommendations of a review of search and rescue operational and deployment protocols that will strengthen the provision of services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador;

2) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this House calls upon the federal government to consider establishing a permanent search and rescue capability at 5 Wing Goose Bay; and,

3) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this House calls on the Government of Canada to rescind the closure of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre located in St. John’s, NL.

2012 03 07                       5:20 p.m.

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.