March 28, 1950 (21st Parliament, 2nd Session)

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

I should like to reply to a question which was asked by the senior member for Halifax (Mr. Isnor) in connection with a collision which took place in Halifax harbour some days ago. A preliminary inquiry took place following the collision between the Gertrude da Costa and the Island Connector in the harbour of Halifax. The master and ten members of the crew of the fishing vessel, the Gertrude da Costa, lost their lives as a result of the casualty. The loss occurred following a collision with the Island Connector, which was outbound. The fishing vessel was inbound from a fishing trip to the Newfoundland banks.
On account of the heavy loss of life it has been decided to hold a formal investigation under the provisions of the Canada

Shipping Act into the circumstances under which the casualty occurred. The Department of Justice has been requested to name a commissioner to hold the investigation, and everything possible will be done to open hearings at Halifax at the earliest convenient date.