MPs want independent review of search and rescue incident

Two MPs from the Kivalliq region are calling for an independent review of a search and rescue operation in which a man was found dead on April 21.

Craig Simailak, MP for Baker Lake, raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday, questioning Minister of Municipal and Government Services David Joanasie about the search for missing snowmobiler Jason Panika.

“For the third time I will ask this minister, it will be the third time he will be asked: will he commit to ordering an independent investigation into this last search operation in Baker Lake, which ended in the tragedy in which the body was found?”

Simailak pointed out that he had personally asked Joanasie to review the search on April 22. Aivilik MP Solomon Malliki made a similar request in the assembly on Wednesday.

On April 19, 21-year-old Panika set out on a snowmobile from Baker Lake to Rankin Inlet. He was reported missing later that day.

Search and rescue teams were dispatched from Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet the next day after receiving response numbers from Nunavut Emergency Management.

The Nunavut Emergency Management Agency uses tasking numbers to track emergency response operations and to approve fuel and other expenses for rescue workers. Without these numbers, rescue workers are forced to cover all costs of rescue operations themselves.

Without a number, potential search parties who cannot afford these costs are effectively discouraged from participating in search operations.

Search crews from Whale Cove had also requested a response number so they could participate in the search, but Nunavut Emergency Management denied their request.

Panika’s snowmobile was found on April 19 about 170 kilometers from Whale Cove, a short distance from a trail used by Whale Cove residents.

His body was later found halfway between Baker Lake and Whale Cove.

“The people of Whale Cove had to scrape together some of their own money to buy gas and food and to come and help us search. The government failed us at that time,” Simailak said.

“The more people participate in a search, the greater the chance of success,” Whale Cove Mayor Oliver Shipton told Nunatsiaq News in early May.

“It just doesn’t make sense to me,” Shipton said.

On Friday, Shipton said he welcomed MPs’ calls for an independent review.

“The more pressure on the minister, the better,” he said.

Joanasie said he has asked Nunavut Emergency Services to review the current dispatch number policy. He did not directly address Simailak or Malliki’s calls for an independent review.

Simailak reiterated his call for the minister to work to have his department meet with search and rescue teams from Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.

In an interview on Friday, Simailak said it appeared the government was seeking a review of rescue operations in general, but not specifically of the Whale Cove incident.

“It’s a bit frustrating and surprising,” he said. “If there is no request or demand, how can we work together to make improvements or push for improvements?”

He expressed the hope that local search and rescue teams would be consulted on any updates to Nunavut Emergency Management.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Joanasie said a new search and rescue unit is being developed in consultation with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, but he could not say when it would be ready.

“We expect to be able to implement something over the next year, but I will keep my colleagues updated on the current state of affairs,” Joanasie said.

“The sooner the better,” Simailak said on Friday, noting that the minister had not given any indication as to when contact would be made with the hamlets.

“So I hope that will happen over the course of the summer.”

Joanasie did not respond to a request for comment.