The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, March 12, 2009, remains one of the most tragic days in our province’s history, and our hearts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the 17 individuals who lost their lives on Cougar Flight 491.

Each year, the anniversary of this event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ensuring safety in our offshore.

The individuals aboard Flight 491 were doing what so many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do almost every day: travelling to workplaces offshore.

Speaker, we work every day to learn from this tragedy. Following the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry in 2010, all levels of government have worked along with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator to improve safety for our offshore workers. Changes have included providing better safety equipment, better training, and faster search and rescue responses.

The Provincial Government continues to collaborate with industry partners and regulators to ensure that we continually strengthen the regulations to ensure our workers stay safe and come home at the end of their shift.

Their loss reminds us that safety, vigilance, and accountability must guide every decision in our offshore.

Speaker, I ask all members of this Honourable House to pause today to remember the lives lost on Cougar Flight 491 and to reflect on the lasting impact this tragedy has had on families, co-workers, and communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Speaker.