Report urges funding for N.L. search and rescue, highlights issues with police
A final report released Wednesday from an inquiry into ground search and rescue in Newfoundland and Labrador recommended the provincial government provide better funding for those services.
In the report, Commissioner James Igloliorte said ground search and rescue services are underfunded and staffed by volunteers who put in many hours and risk burnout. The former provincial court judge said the Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association is also over-reliant on a few key volunteers, most notably its president, Harry Blackmore.
"This over-reliance and absence of professional staff threatens the long-term viability of this essential organization," Igloliorte wrote in the report.
In his recommendation for funding, Igloliorte pointed to a submission from Blackmore that said the search and rescue association needed a commitment of $2 million a year for two years, followed by $1 million each year thereafter.
The Public Inquiry Respecting Ground Search and Rescue's community consultations began in September in the coastal Labrador community of Makkovik, and they ended later that month in St. John's.
The inquiry was triggered by the unsuccessful 2012 search for 14-year-old Burton Winters in Makkovik. On Jan. 29, 2012, Winters set out on the sea ice on his snowmobile and didn't return home. His body was found three days later, "some 15 kilometres from where his snowmobile was stuck in the jumbled ice," Igloliorte wrote.
The final report from the inquiry released Wednesday was dedicated to Winters's memory, Igloliorte said. The 159-page document included 17 recommendations, such as more mental health support, more training for search and rescue volunteers, and a review of the province's 911 services.
The search and rescue association has more than 750 volunteers organized into 25 teams across the province, but their services, the report said, are not yet established in Indigenous communities, such as the Innu Nation towns of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish and in other communities along Labrador's south coast. Igloliorte recommended the government identify which communities are in need and that it find solutions.
In most cases, ground search and rescue services in the province are tasked by police, but this may not work in some Indigenous communities where relationships with police may not be as "harmonious," he wrote.
"Cultural differences and, especially, language differences also might impact interoperability within Indigenous communities," Igloliorte said. "Police officers, generally not being of the culture of the community and with limited local knowledge, might thus be a poor choice for incident commanders and a policing presence on searches might be counterproductive."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.