Statement by Loyola Hearn on L'Acadien II incident

I am deeply saddened and wish to extend my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the crewmembers of the L'Acadien II who tragically lost their lives this past weekend. Coming from a small fishing community myself, I know only too well the grief and pain being felt right now.

I will speak with Mayor Arsenault and inform him that our government will be sending a federal official to the Magdalen Islands in order to ensure that help and support is provided at this difficult time.

The RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board are undertaking investigations, in addition to the Canadian Coast Guard, which is conducting its own review, including its current towing policy. These various investigations will be thorough, will set out the facts, and determine what actually occurred.

I am also announcing that the Canadian Coast Guard review into the L'Acadien II incident will be led by an independent reviewer and we will announce the name of this person in the coming days. This will allow everyone to see the facts, and to make informed decisions together.

I spoke with my Quebec counterpart, Minister Laurent Lessard, and I assured him that our government will make the results of our investigations public. I have given similar assurances to Quebec's Minister of Public Security.

My thoughts and prayers remain with the families during this difficult period, and our government will conduct these investigations in a thorough and transparent manner.