OPP explain rationale for relocating Sudbury helicopter

The OPP have issued a lengthy news release explaining why it’s relocating its Sudbury helicopter to its Orillia site.   First off the OPP say the relocation improves for everyone because its senior engineer is in Orillia and that means less down time for the chopper.  The force says centralizing the service increases chopper availability by 2,900 hours a year.  The service also says the Sudbury helicopter has seen more service in the south than it has in Northern Ontario.  It says the relocation won’t compromise safety and adds partners, like the Ministry of Natural Resources, can help with search and rescue.   The NDP are critical of the relocation saying it jeopardizes search and rescues in the north.