Peter MacKay is piece of work - of that there can be no doubt.
Peter MacKay the defected PC - the king maker - the opportunist.
So in he comes to Newfoundland and Labrador with federal bucks and a promise of a Cabinet Post for Peter Penashue.
Why he asks would anybody vote for any other than Peter Penashue (the election cheat)?
Don't the people of Labrador know that they really don't have a choice? Don't they know that an Opposition member is worthless and just "...maybe get to yell at the government two or three times a week in question period..."?
The election is all a folly thinks Peter MacKay - we don't live in a democracy and only god Harper has control. If you want anything in Labrador - you had better rescue Peter P from the land of Nod.
Attack ads on Mr. Trudeau - flyer's in mail boxes - attempted and somewhat successful control of the media. Harper and his man-in-waiting see no value to our electoral system - no value in our democracy?
How should we perceive this then? There is no need for Opposition members in Canada? There is no role for anybody but a member on the Government side? They demonstrably don't mind election act violations or attempting to buy people with their own money.
I think the people of Labrador will decide what they want and Peter MacKay just made it much more palatable to vote anything but Penashue.
With the Burton Winters tragedy still fresh in all our minds - continued failed promises to Labradorians - and now the attempt to force play a vote - I think Peter MacKay has just guaranteed a loss.
Vote Labrador Vote - for whoever in your minds deserves it.
Showing posts with label SAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SAR. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Peter on the River - Merv in the River
Merv Wiseman gets written reprimand - Peter MacKay gets a lift from Gander River.
Merv Wiseman trying to protect lives in NL - Peter MacKay throws a helicopter to Labrador in part because of Wiseman's dedication to fight for SAR in OUR province.
Merv Wiseman coast guard employee for 35 years - Peter MacKay ended the PC Party Canada through deception.
Are we going to let this go too? Are we going to speak up to protect somebody interested in protecting the lives of Newfoundland and Labrador children, fishers, oil workers, recreational boaters?
The Honourable Peter MacKay? The dishonourable Merv Wiseman?
If you want to know how apathetic we've become - watch the reaction to this disservice delivered to a man with 35 years of real public service.
Make no mistake - Merv Wiseman will walk the rest of the way for Burton Winters - Peter MacKay will cast his way into a healthy pension.
Merv Wiseman trying to protect lives in NL - Peter MacKay throws a helicopter to Labrador in part because of Wiseman's dedication to fight for SAR in OUR province.
Merv Wiseman coast guard employee for 35 years - Peter MacKay ended the PC Party Canada through deception.
Are we going to let this go too? Are we going to speak up to protect somebody interested in protecting the lives of Newfoundland and Labrador children, fishers, oil workers, recreational boaters?
The Honourable Peter MacKay? The dishonourable Merv Wiseman?
If you want to know how apathetic we've become - watch the reaction to this disservice delivered to a man with 35 years of real public service.
Make no mistake - Merv Wiseman will walk the rest of the way for Burton Winters - Peter MacKay will cast his way into a healthy pension.
Friday, February 17, 2012
United for Burton Winters - We need Your Support
Please visit the facebook site dedicated to making change after the tragic loss of a young Labradorian - Burton Winters.
This courageous individual walked 19 km's on the ice trying to get home.
The Search and Rescue system failed him and thousands of people from Newfoundland and Labrador and from all over the world are joining together - to fix this.
This site is inspiring and so many are uniting Hand in Hand - Heart in Heart to finish the walk for Burton.
You will find messages of hope, community events, a petition, songs, poems and generally you will find what is right and just.
Please visit by Pressing HERE.
We need your support to make this happen.
If you have a twitter account - please post the facebook page there.
If you have a blog please add a link.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this very worthwhile cause and action.
This courageous individual walked 19 km's on the ice trying to get home.
The Search and Rescue system failed him and thousands of people from Newfoundland and Labrador and from all over the world are joining together - to fix this.
This site is inspiring and so many are uniting Hand in Hand - Heart in Heart to finish the walk for Burton.
You will find messages of hope, community events, a petition, songs, poems and generally you will find what is right and just.
Please visit by Pressing HERE.
We need your support to make this happen.
If you have a twitter account - please post the facebook page there.
If you have a blog please add a link.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this very worthwhile cause and action.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Harper & MacKay need a Wake-up Call! Top Priority - Burton Winters
This is a post about priorities. Please take the time to read the Maclean's Story below. The compare it to the Search and Rescue situation in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Then think about Peter MacKay's statement today about doing a "review of protocols" after the loss of a wonderful young man from Labrador - named Burton Winters.
The facebook page for more information on Burton Winters story and what is being done by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador PRESS HERE.
These politicians are too arrogant and must be guided once again by people - not by a misguided ignorant position on something they clearly do not think is important. Is it the bureaucrats mentioned below responsible for "advising" Ministers such as MacKay or our Prime Minister?
We are here to tell them they are wrong.
Here's the Story
Newly-released figures show senior federal bureaucrats paid exorbitant rates to fly to Paris, London and other destinations. Airfares purchased by officials with the Privy Council, the Prime Minister’s own department, for the final quarter of 2011 have been posted online and include several expensive trips abroad, reports the Canadian Press. One assistant secretary flew round trip to London at a cost of $6,855; a clerk paid $6,625 for the same trip. What class they were flying is unknown, but an economy ticket for a return trip between Ottawa and London can be booked two weeks in advance for less than $1,000. Flights to Paris, another favourite destination among civil servants, Dublin and other European cities were also booked at prices ranging from $4,000 to $6,000.
Travel expenses have been a sore spot for the Harper government in the past year, ever since CTV reported a chief of defence staff who had spent $1.5 million flying a government-owned plane, once to a Caribbean holiday and to NHL and CFL games. Afterwards, the Privy Council wrote an internal memo to Harper describing the rules for travel spending and highlighting reductions in travel expenses. The memo was signed by Wayne Wouters, the clerk of the Privy Council. Wouters went to London in November for $6,625.
Then, in December, Defence Minister Peter Mackay acknowledged riding aboard a military helicopter in the summer as part of a search-and-rescue mission, only to have later surface that the Air Force’s CH-149 Cormorant chopper plucked Mackay from a fishing he’d been taking in Newfoundland.
Then think about Peter MacKay's statement today about doing a "review of protocols" after the loss of a wonderful young man from Labrador - named Burton Winters.
The facebook page for more information on Burton Winters story and what is being done by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador PRESS HERE.
These politicians are too arrogant and must be guided once again by people - not by a misguided ignorant position on something they clearly do not think is important. Is it the bureaucrats mentioned below responsible for "advising" Ministers such as MacKay or our Prime Minister?
We are here to tell them they are wrong.
Here's the Story
Ottawa’s high-flying bureacrats
Newly-released figures show senior federal bureaucrats paid exorbitant rates to fly to Paris, London and other destinations. Airfares purchased by officials with the Privy Council, the Prime Minister’s own department, for the final quarter of 2011 have been posted online and include several expensive trips abroad, reports the Canadian Press. One assistant secretary flew round trip to London at a cost of $6,855; a clerk paid $6,625 for the same trip. What class they were flying is unknown, but an economy ticket for a return trip between Ottawa and London can be booked two weeks in advance for less than $1,000. Flights to Paris, another favourite destination among civil servants, Dublin and other European cities were also booked at prices ranging from $4,000 to $6,000.
Travel expenses have been a sore spot for the Harper government in the past year, ever since CTV reported a chief of defence staff who had spent $1.5 million flying a government-owned plane, once to a Caribbean holiday and to NHL and CFL games. Afterwards, the Privy Council wrote an internal memo to Harper describing the rules for travel spending and highlighting reductions in travel expenses. The memo was signed by Wayne Wouters, the clerk of the Privy Council. Wouters went to London in November for $6,625.
Then, in December, Defence Minister Peter Mackay acknowledged riding aboard a military helicopter in the summer as part of a search-and-rescue mission, only to have later surface that the Air Force’s CH-149 Cormorant chopper plucked Mackay from a fishing he’d been taking in Newfoundland.
A Tribute to Burton Winters - by Dr. Phil Earle
I just received the following in the comments area of Sue's Blog.
This is a very touching tribute to Burton Winters and explains how this young man from Labrador has united our Newfoundland and Labrador soul.
After reading this tribute please visit the facebook group PRESS HERE
Phil Earle
Carbonear
This is a very touching tribute to Burton Winters and explains how this young man from Labrador has united our Newfoundland and Labrador soul.
After reading this tribute please visit the facebook group PRESS HERE
The Hero
Tribute to Burton Winters
After I hear your name all sound disappears, after I see your picture, your boyish grin and the exuberance of your eyes, my mind becomes blind to whatever my eyes are seeing. So deep have you touched me, moving the spirit of love, unfettered, within my soul, that my worldly senses are erased, wiping away the ignorant, temporal, conditioned knowledge of ‘myself’.
So great was your desire to be with those you loved, to succeed upon a journey that, unknown to you, was endless. Undaunted by the kilometers of the ice and snow, by the darkness and the cold, by the time in the loneliness of nowhere, you came face to face with the truth of your own soul. You became one with the birth place and source of your, and mans, greatest character. One with that bit of the energy of spirit that was your own, that energy of spirit who’s totality is universally pervasive and eternal.
Your struggle will never leave our hearts now, we are your people now, we are your family because you have made us so. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador, we love you in our souls. Your surrounding outward journey into trial and suffering lead you inwardly into yourself, where we know you found strength, self-reliance and courage, just as our forefathers did in making this wild, inebriate place our home.
It is sad that your life and the exuberance of your spirit has been taken. But we know that even though you did not make it back to tell us about what you learned through the pain and suffering you felt out there in that great loneliness .......it has been shown to us by your undaunted courage and determination. The purest qualities of any hero who has ever lived on this planet.
You, Burton, who you were and what you did will never grow old, just like our boys at Beaumont Hamel in the First World War, because the actions of heroes are always beyond
the element of time.
RIP ‘ole son’, RIP. Love ya.
After I hear your name all sound disappears, after I see your picture, your boyish grin and the exuberance of your eyes, my mind becomes blind to whatever my eyes are seeing. So deep have you touched me, moving the spirit of love, unfettered, within my soul, that my worldly senses are erased, wiping away the ignorant, temporal, conditioned knowledge of ‘myself’.
So great was your desire to be with those you loved, to succeed upon a journey that, unknown to you, was endless. Undaunted by the kilometers of the ice and snow, by the darkness and the cold, by the time in the loneliness of nowhere, you came face to face with the truth of your own soul. You became one with the birth place and source of your, and mans, greatest character. One with that bit of the energy of spirit that was your own, that energy of spirit who’s totality is universally pervasive and eternal.
Your struggle will never leave our hearts now, we are your people now, we are your family because you have made us so. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador, we love you in our souls. Your surrounding outward journey into trial and suffering lead you inwardly into yourself, where we know you found strength, self-reliance and courage, just as our forefathers did in making this wild, inebriate place our home.
It is sad that your life and the exuberance of your spirit has been taken. But we know that even though you did not make it back to tell us about what you learned through the pain and suffering you felt out there in that great loneliness .......it has been shown to us by your undaunted courage and determination. The purest qualities of any hero who has ever lived on this planet.
You, Burton, who you were and what you did will never grow old, just like our boys at Beaumont Hamel in the First World War, because the actions of heroes are always beyond
the element of time.
RIP ‘ole son’, RIP. Love ya.
Phil Earle
Carbonear
Search and Rescue - NL - Second Class Citizens
How many times do we have to lose loved ones in Newfoundland and Labrador - to the sea - to the ice - inshore - offshore? How many enquiries do we need on the failed rescues of fishermen - offshore oil workers - children?
The reality is that we need dedicated services in Labrador, St. John's, and Gander. The reality is that our coastal and northern geography is challenging and massive.
Will is cost more money? Yes! Is it essential? Yes!
The continued downsizing of our search and rescue presence has been going on for decades. Bit by bit by bit.
The reality is that with the relatively new industry of offshore oil and gas development, continued fishery, and increased travel in northern climes has made it necessary to increase not decrease search and rescue assets.
Please read the information below. I will do this study in three or four parts.
The truth is Search and Rescue is as important as any other service and therefore - more not less - must be spent on this essential. It is NOT acceptable to nickel and dime Newfoundland and Labrador again.
There are 3 Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) in Canada.
One is in British Columbia
One is in Ontario
One is in Nova Scotia
This was fine pre-confederation - but now? No! This is obviously flawed. The East Coast is Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2005, JRCC Victoria responded to over 2,900 SAR cases, with a greater number of Category 1 and 2 cases1 than the other two JRCCs. This disproportionate level of serious SAR activity can be attributed to the higher amount of recreational activity, changeable weather and challenging topography on the west coast. While the other two regions have Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres in Quebec and St. John's, JRCC Victoria has sole responsibility for its region. This centralized function is best for the Victoria SRR as the ocean area is smaller and marine traffic patterns are different from those on the east coast.
The Halifax SRR is geographically the second largest of the three regions but prosecutes the fewest number of incidents.
In 2005, JRCC Halifax responded to 1,962 SAR cases. Fishing activity continued to provide the majority of cases in the Halifax SRR as the fishing industry forms a large part of the economy. Most marine SAR activity is concentrated in the Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island region of the SRR. Quebec had the majority of air incidents while Newfoundland and Labrador was high in humanitarian incidents, many of which were medical evacuations and assisting the RCMP with lost hunters.
2005 was a much busier year than normal for JRCC Trenton. A total of 3,070 incidents were handled — 2,286 maritime, 400 aeronautical, 205 humanitarian and 179 unknown. Compared to 2004, the marine incidents were higher and the air incidents were also slightly higher.
In 2005, the causes of marine incidents were:
In 2005 SAR reported what are known as Significant Incidents.
3 were noted in BC Region 2 air related incidents and 1 Ferry
1 was noted in the Atlantic Region - Newfoundland and Labrador the capsizing of the Melina and Keith II.
The other two notes are found below. Read them CAREFULLY. Can you see the hypocrisy?
The Canadian Coast Guard was pleased to offer a helping hand to the United States of America Coast Guard during the relief effort. In September 2005, Canadian Coast Guard vessel, CCGS Sir William Alexander, was dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico, accompanying Canadian Navy vessels, as well as fast response craft and a helicopter. The CCGS Sir William Alexander, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, assisted with heavy lift operations during the weeks following the destructive hurricane.
On September 4, as part of Operation UNISON 2005, the Canadian Forces' contribution to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, two CH-146 Griffon helicopters also deployed to the United States of America Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts to help cover the Boston SAR area of responsibility over the Labour Day weekend, returning to their squadrons on September 12. The six H60 Jayhawk helicopters, normally on stand-by for SAR duty in this region, were involved in the Coast Guard flood relief operation on the Gulf coast.
The reality is that we need dedicated services in Labrador, St. John's, and Gander. The reality is that our coastal and northern geography is challenging and massive.
Will is cost more money? Yes! Is it essential? Yes!
The continued downsizing of our search and rescue presence has been going on for decades. Bit by bit by bit.
The reality is that with the relatively new industry of offshore oil and gas development, continued fishery, and increased travel in northern climes has made it necessary to increase not decrease search and rescue assets.
Please read the information below. I will do this study in three or four parts.
The truth is Search and Rescue is as important as any other service and therefore - more not less - must be spent on this essential. It is NOT acceptable to nickel and dime Newfoundland and Labrador again.
There are 3 Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) in Canada.
One is in British Columbia
One is in Ontario
One is in Nova Scotia
This was fine pre-confederation - but now? No! This is obviously flawed. The East Coast is Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2005, JRCC Victoria responded to over 2,900 SAR cases, with a greater number of Category 1 and 2 cases1 than the other two JRCCs. This disproportionate level of serious SAR activity can be attributed to the higher amount of recreational activity, changeable weather and challenging topography on the west coast. While the other two regions have Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres in Quebec and St. John's, JRCC Victoria has sole responsibility for its region. This centralized function is best for the Victoria SRR as the ocean area is smaller and marine traffic patterns are different from those on the east coast.
The Halifax SRR is geographically the second largest of the three regions but prosecutes the fewest number of incidents.
In 2005, JRCC Halifax responded to 1,962 SAR cases. Fishing activity continued to provide the majority of cases in the Halifax SRR as the fishing industry forms a large part of the economy. Most marine SAR activity is concentrated in the Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island region of the SRR. Quebec had the majority of air incidents while Newfoundland and Labrador was high in humanitarian incidents, many of which were medical evacuations and assisting the RCMP with lost hunters.
2005 was a much busier year than normal for JRCC Trenton. A total of 3,070 incidents were handled — 2,286 maritime, 400 aeronautical, 205 humanitarian and 179 unknown. Compared to 2004, the marine incidents were higher and the air incidents were also slightly higher.
In 2005, the causes of marine incidents were:
- 50% human error;
- 35% mechanical;
- 11% unknown; and
- 4 % weather.
 | ||||
| Look at the Coastline and Landmass of NL and ask yourself why the Centre is in Halifax? |
In 2005 SAR reported what are known as Significant Incidents.
3 were noted in BC Region 2 air related incidents and 1 Ferry
1 was noted in the Atlantic Region - Newfoundland and Labrador the capsizing of the Melina and Keith II.
The other two notes are found below. Read them CAREFULLY. Can you see the hypocrisy?
The Canadian Coast Guard was pleased to offer a helping hand to the United States of America Coast Guard during the relief effort. In September 2005, Canadian Coast Guard vessel, CCGS Sir William Alexander, was dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico, accompanying Canadian Navy vessels, as well as fast response craft and a helicopter. The CCGS Sir William Alexander, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, assisted with heavy lift operations during the weeks following the destructive hurricane.
On September 4, as part of Operation UNISON 2005, the Canadian Forces' contribution to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, two CH-146 Griffon helicopters also deployed to the United States of America Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts to help cover the Boston SAR area of responsibility over the Labour Day weekend, returning to their squadrons on September 12. The six H60 Jayhawk helicopters, normally on stand-by for SAR duty in this region, were involved in the Coast Guard flood relief operation on the Gulf coast.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Walk a Kilometre in Burton's Shoes - Demand Change!
This post is for Burton Winters and his family.
You did not walk that 19 km's in vain - we cannot allow that.
You were a young man who - on the day you went missing - was snowmobiling. You were enjoying northern life and were not causing harm to anybody.
The stories about you by those close to you - help relate the tragedy of your loss to all parents.
You were living life and then fought for life and you were not wrong - when you were hoping somebody would find you - when you were hoping somebody would help you.
Your community of Makkovik and the greater community of Labrador were all looking for you. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador wanted you to be found safe and sound and wanted you to return to the comfort of your home and family.
When politicians have been around too long - they can become desensitized - detached - and in some cases appear aloof. They listen to people tell them sad and tragic stories everyday. If that is the case for any politician - they should quit - their time in public service is finished.
When bureaucrats spend one moment on spinning or downplaying neglectful policy - where a life is lost - they need to move on.
Because you Burton - were instantly wrapped in the arms of the Newfoundland and Labrador people - from the moment we heard you were missing - you will not be forgotten. That means that the circumstances surrounding your loss must be written about, examined, studied, and spoken of. That means that Newfoundland and Labrador must not accept anything short of a real solution to this obviously flawed system.
I watched the DND News Conference that was shared by local media. One point stuck in my mind - and it made me angry. When asked the question - why was a private company able to operate in the weather while the DND could not - the person responding said that local pilots knew the terrain, the mountains, and the local area.
This is simple - people - why would anybody who is NOT familiar with the local terrain be responsible for Search and Rescue of that area? Why?
This is a message for Minister Penashue, Minister MacKay, Premier Dunderdale and provincial MHA's - make this your number one priority. Fix this!
Newfoundland and Labrador is a massive geographic territory which is the easternmost part of Canada. See how many times you can put Nova Scotia in our physical footprint. Look at our coastline and understand that this province needs its own dedicated Search and Rescue service. Not only the marine communications sub-centre but a full fledged Search and Rescue Centre. Move the assets of Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador including the home dock of SAR and DND ships. If Nova Scotia feels it needs to maintain these assets - so be it - and then the federal government can build new infrastructure and assets for our province.
Regardless of who you are - you can look at the maps and understand that we cannot be serviced from Halifax.
Burton Winters died and that is not acceptable.
The Winters' family has lost Burton and that is not acceptable.
This young man walked 19 km's on terrain that federal and provincial politicians should experience.
This death on the ice will not happen again because our politicians shall be forced to make the changes necessary to protect our people.
Rest in Peace Burton - let us walk the rest of the way.
To the family of Burton - we are with you in your search for answers and are with you in your fight to ensure the safety of our people.
You did not walk that 19 km's in vain - we cannot allow that.
You were a young man who - on the day you went missing - was snowmobiling. You were enjoying northern life and were not causing harm to anybody.
The stories about you by those close to you - help relate the tragedy of your loss to all parents.
You were living life and then fought for life and you were not wrong - when you were hoping somebody would find you - when you were hoping somebody would help you.
Your community of Makkovik and the greater community of Labrador were all looking for you. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador wanted you to be found safe and sound and wanted you to return to the comfort of your home and family.
When politicians have been around too long - they can become desensitized - detached - and in some cases appear aloof. They listen to people tell them sad and tragic stories everyday. If that is the case for any politician - they should quit - their time in public service is finished.
When bureaucrats spend one moment on spinning or downplaying neglectful policy - where a life is lost - they need to move on.
Because you Burton - were instantly wrapped in the arms of the Newfoundland and Labrador people - from the moment we heard you were missing - you will not be forgotten. That means that the circumstances surrounding your loss must be written about, examined, studied, and spoken of. That means that Newfoundland and Labrador must not accept anything short of a real solution to this obviously flawed system.
I watched the DND News Conference that was shared by local media. One point stuck in my mind - and it made me angry. When asked the question - why was a private company able to operate in the weather while the DND could not - the person responding said that local pilots knew the terrain, the mountains, and the local area.
This is simple - people - why would anybody who is NOT familiar with the local terrain be responsible for Search and Rescue of that area? Why?
This is a message for Minister Penashue, Minister MacKay, Premier Dunderdale and provincial MHA's - make this your number one priority. Fix this!
Newfoundland and Labrador is a massive geographic territory which is the easternmost part of Canada. See how many times you can put Nova Scotia in our physical footprint. Look at our coastline and understand that this province needs its own dedicated Search and Rescue service. Not only the marine communications sub-centre but a full fledged Search and Rescue Centre. Move the assets of Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador including the home dock of SAR and DND ships. If Nova Scotia feels it needs to maintain these assets - so be it - and then the federal government can build new infrastructure and assets for our province.
Regardless of who you are - you can look at the maps and understand that we cannot be serviced from Halifax.
Burton Winters died and that is not acceptable.
The Winters' family has lost Burton and that is not acceptable.
This young man walked 19 km's on terrain that federal and provincial politicians should experience.
This death on the ice will not happen again because our politicians shall be forced to make the changes necessary to protect our people.
Rest in Peace Burton - let us walk the rest of the way.
To the family of Burton - we are with you in your search for answers and are with you in your fight to ensure the safety of our people.
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