FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2013 NDP URGES FULL-SCALE SEARCH FOR CANADIAN LOST IN AUSTRALIAN MOUNTAINS

Foreign Affairs critic implores Minister Baird to pressure Australian government at the request of Prabhdeep Srawns family OTTAWA - In a letter delivered by NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre), New Democrats are calling on Minister John Baird to pressure the Australian government to deploy an emergency search team in search of Canadian Prabhdeep Srawn. "There's no time to lose-a small search party is on its fourth day of searching, but with perilous conditions in the Snowy Mountains, there is a dire need for reinforcement from the Australian State Emergency Services," said Dewar. Srawn, a Canadian Forces reservist, went missing in the Australian Kosciuszko National Park on Monday, May 13. The regions weather conditions and terrain are harsh, even for someone with Srawns military survival training, and there is a risk that the smallscale search will be called off if too much snow falls this week. "I strongly encourage Minister Baird to respond to the request of family members and work with his counterpart in Australia to step up the search for Prabhdeep. This is a real emergency situation in a dangerous area. With help from the Australian military and State Emergency Services, we can work quicker to make sure Prabhdeep is returned to his family safe and sound."