(April 23, 2021) – David Brazil, PC Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay EastBell Island, is continuing to ask questions about the Furey Government’s failure to provide search and rescue capacity on the Northeast Avalon.

Brazil noted the PC Opposition pressed the Premier yesterday in the House of Assembly about the lack of helicopter service for the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD), which is contracted via the department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Both the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and SJRFD have indicated lives are at risk because they do not have the ability to properly respond. Even more alarming, both agencies have noted the absence of
protocols and clear roles and responsibilities. This is simply not acceptable. Government has been failing to secure a new contacted service for over a year,” noted Brazil.

While expressing sympathies to the family of the young man lost in Flatrock, Brazil noted he has received calls that rescuers waited three hours in Flatrock for a Cormorant to arrive from Gander, yet Provincial
Aerospace, with all its advanced surveillance equipped planes, including infrared cameras, were just minutes away at the St. John’s Airport.

“Government needs to step up and show some leadership and get this fixed immediately,” added Brazil.

“Last year, former Premier Ball stepped up by contracting a private vessel to search for the last crew member of the Sarah Anne off St. Lawrence. This is the kind of leadership we need now to fix this critical
issue.”

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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