Right. I'll get to that. Members of this House are all too familiar with the dangers of flying in the north and travelling in the north. The weather, long distance, aging equipment and, to some degree, just plain luck are all factors.
Another thing, Mr. Speaker, each day dozens of huge passenger planes crisscross the Arctic. Inevitably, one of them could find itself on the ground in winter. Then what?
Reading the accounts of the valiant efforts of the crew of our aging Labrador helicopters, flying, knowing full well that their efforts were hopeless due to breakdowns, remoteness and the lack of some very basic electronic equipment, they deserve our utmost in appreciation and praise for their courage. While on the other hand, and closer to home, perhaps, in somewhat better conditions, a daring night-time rescue of a Yellowknife family from their crash site was successful, thanks to the efforts of our own civilian private operators at Aero Arctic Helicopters.
If we have learned anything from the crash of Box Top 22, it is that their preparedness and courage was not enough. Without proper, up-to-date equipment, lives will be lost because planes still fly and, inevitably, planes will crash. What then? Maybe, just maybe...I seek unanimous consent to conclude.