Lois Moorecroft, the NDP MLA for Copperbelt South, hopes the January deaths of five people in Porter Creek from carbon monoxide poisoning will result in a "wake-up call” for the improvement of territorial regulations governing oil-fired appliance safety.

Speaking to the legislature Wednesday, Moorecroft read out a 2008 Yukon government press release.

It drew attention to the issue of poorly installed furnaces in the territory and promised the government would address the issue.

In the release, the government stated plans to form a committee to address the issues.

"Can the minister explain this committee's role in actions undertaken since 2008 to increase public safety?” Moorcroft asked.

Scott Kent, the minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corp. echoed the government's approach to dealing with the concern through the creation of an advisory committee, alongside the Department of Health and Social Services.

"The advisory committee is to come up with an action plan and deliver that action plan to the Yukon Housing Corporation and the Yukon government so that we can have a made-in-Yukon solution that works not only in downtown Whitehorse, but also in communities such as Old Crow, Mayo, Carmacks and Watson Lake,” Kent said.

The chair of the current working group is a journeyman oil burner mechanic. As well, the proposed chair of the advisory committee will be a "well-respected senior official within the Yukon government,” Kent said.

The NDP supports the creation of the committee, as it did in 2008, said Moorecroft, asking, "What assurance can the government give us that this new committee is not just a rehash of the old and that its formation will lead to real, bold improvements for public safety?”

Kent outlined several actions the government has taken part in to address the concern, including assisting homeowners in having safe home heating, by reminding them of the importance of annual furnace maintenance by a qualified technician.

"There has been training offered through Yukon College and, as I mentioned, there were interim regulations, including — we amended the building standards regulations in 2010 to clarify that a valid permit is needed to install or modify a heating device, including a fuel tank and/or chimney,” he said.

"We're very much committed to seeing that action plan delivered to us by the summer of 2012,” the minister added.

Moorecroft believes more can be done – and sooner.

"There may have been some good work done, but unfortunately, that good work did not prevent the deaths of five Yukon people from carbon monoxide poisoning just a few short months ago,” she said.

"Their deaths must be a wake-up call for action to prevent further injury and death .... When will this government deal with the myriad issues of oil furnace safety, installation, certification, training, inspections, landlord-tenant responsibilities, in a systematic and comprehensive manner?”

Kent called the summer deadline for the official government action plan "attainable,” adding he expects to see a full report delivered to government then.

In her address, Moorecroft also called for a public inquiry into the five deaths.

Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor responded by stating the report will be necessary before a full assessment can be made.

"The Yukon government will be looking very closely at the outcome and the findings of this particular investigation. That work is currently underway,” she said.

"When we receive the report, and when we have had an opportunity to review the findings, we will be in a much better position to fully assess the circumstances that led to the incident and determine what specific actions may be required in the various parts of the government.”

See letter, photo