Politicians object to SAR helicopter use for fishing

Provincial

opposition politicians are upset after photos showing a Search and Rescue helicopter resting on a shore while people appear to be fishing became public.

NDP MHA and emergency services critic George Murphy called the trip “a stupid decision” in a news release that stated the trip was apparently used as a reward for members of 444 Squadron at Goose Bay following their completion of maintenance and inspection work on a helicopter returning from Jamaica.

“I am all in favour of rewarding workers for doing a good job,” said Murphy, “but surely to goodness the commander could have found some other way than by using a military helicopter to take them on a fishing trip.”

Liberal Torngat Mountains MHA Randy Edmunds said he respects the need to reward military personnel, but objected to the

George Murphy use of the helicopter.

“I am appalled that DND would continue to use search and rescue equipment for pleasure in light of the recent controversy over search and rescue capability in Labrador,” he said. “The people of Labrador have been lobbying hard for improved search and rescue capacity in Labrador since the Burton Winters tragedy, and to have them exposed to this abuse of search and rescue helicopters is an outright insult to the people.”

Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Peter Penashue’s spokesman said search and rescue equipment needs to be available to save lives, noting the government expects that to be a priority.

“We expect commanding officers to exercise discretion regarding the use of these resources,” said Cory Hann, Penashue’s press secretary.

Randy Edmunds