Cleary marks Cougar anniversary; lessons yet to be learned from tragedy


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12th, 2013

Cleary marks Cougar tragedy anniversary, more to be done

St. John`s – On the four-year anniversary of the tragic crash of Cougar Flight 491, New Democrat MP Ryan Cleary is calling on the Conservatives to follow through on the chief recommendation of the 2010 Wells Inquiry Report to create an independent safety regulator for the offshore oil industry.

“It’s incredibly important to remember the 17 victims of the 2009 Cougar crash and their families,” says Cleary (St. John’s South-Mount Pearl). “But it’s also critical to learn from the tragedy, to continually improve the safety conditions of workers involved in the offshore industry, which is so integral to our province.”

Justice Robert Wells has said the most important recommendation from his 2010 report was for the creation of a new, stand-alone safety regulator in the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador offshore. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board later referred that particular recommendation to the federal and provincial government for a decision.

Cleary introduced a Private Members’ Motion before the House of Commons in February urging the federal Conservative government to engage Newfoundland and Labrador in an effort to establish an Independent offshore Safety Regulator.

“It’s time for both levels of government to act on Wells’ recommendation,” says Cleary. “The safety of our workers must be paramount – especially with a decision yet to be made regarding the resumption of night flights.”

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For more information, please contact:
Maria Glavine, Office of Ryan Cleary MP, 613-992-0927 or 709-693-8059

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