67 days since Burton Winters went missing, and rhetoric doesn't cut it



I posed the following question today (April 5th) in the House of Commons:

It's now been 67 days since Burton Winters went missing and his family is still waiting for answers, Mr. Speaker.

67 days, and rhetoric doesn't cut it.

From day one, we have had nothing but contradiction and blame from this government.

It's time for some facts.

The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador expects a full explanation by today for why a Cormorant helicopter wasn't sent to help the search - will she get the explanation?

A simple question, Mr. Speaker: If weather wasn't an issue - and there were no protocols - why weren't the Cormorants deployed?

Peter MacKay, minister of National Defence:

Mr. Speaker, let us do just what the honourable member has asked. Let us inject some facts and reality into this situation.


I spoke extensively about the matter with the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador yesterday, as I have previously.

We had an investigation within days of this tragic incident. We have changed the protocol to improve the communication between provinces and territories and search and rescue nationally. We continue to assess the proper placement of assets across the country. We have taken extensive action.

That, sadly, will not bring back young Burton Winters, but we are committed to continuing to provide extensive search and rescue across this massive country, and I salute those SAR techs who guard Canadians every day.

Comments

Anonymous said…
He didn't answer the question about why the helicopter wasn't deployed. We have to keep asking that question until we are given a straight answer from the minister. We'll ask until our united voices are so loud they can't be ignored.

Katrina
April 5, 2012 at 6:45 PM
Cyril Rogers said…
Getting a straight answer from the CONS is never going to happen...it is simply not part of their DNA.
April 5, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Please correct the final word on this column heading: You have it as: 67 days since Burton Winters went missing, and rhetoric doesn't cut in....................

It should be 67 days since Burton Winters went missing, and rhetoric doesn't cut IT!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Mike K
April 9, 2012 at 3:54 PM
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