Nickel Belt's M-P-P Upset The O-P-P Moving A Helicopter Out Of Sudbury

By Stew Kernan

Nickel Belt’s M-P-P isn’t happy with the decision to move an O-P-P helicopter out of Sudbury.

The force says it will being using an existing aviation facility at its general headquarters in Orillia as the maintenance base for both the choppers in its Helicopter Aviation Unit.

The O-P-P says the centralization will allow it to improve aviation response for the whole province.

France Gelinas says this will effect rescue efforts in the Northeast by adding an extra 90 minutes to get the helicopter to where it’s needed from Orillia.

Gelinas says she wants some proof that all alternatives were examined or she wants the government to admit this is simply a cost cutting measure.