The mother of one of two fishermen lost at sea is renewing her calls for increased search and rescue services in Labrador before a meeting with the federal government

Jeannette Russell, the mother of Marc Russell who, along with Joey Jenkins passed away when their vessel the Island Lady sank while on a fishing trip, will join provincial Labrador Affairs minister Lisa Dempster in a meeting with the Minister of National Defence in an effort to improve emergency response on the Big Land.

Russell says if she doesn’t speak out, then who will?

She says she has received great support from provincial and federal representatives, but ultimately they are busy with many portfolios. She says this is the issue she cares about and she is willing to die on the hill to see change.

Russell says she is doing this for all Labradorians. She says her advocacy won’t change anything for Marc and Joey, but it will help the people of Labrador. She says on the Big Land they have relied on each other for help, but it is time that the federal government steps up and fills the gaps in service.