A Goderich inquest jury's recommendations focus on ways to better warn emergency response services and the public that tornadoes are on the way.
Wednesday night the jury presented 14 recommendations to the coroner's inquest into the death of 61-year-old miner Normand Laberge, who was killed during the 2011 tornado.
But the key recommendation calls for Emergency Management Ontario to explore the feasibility of a municipal siren system for emergencies that is standardized across Ontario.
If implemented the five-person jury's recommendations are intended to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Earlier Wednesday testimony at the inquest into the death of Laberge wrapped up. He was the only person killed during the tornado.
Counsel for the Coroner’s Office, Sifto Canada, Emergency Management Ontario, the miners’ union and the Laberge family all gave their closing statements.
One of the suggestions that was the focus of testimony was installing tornado sirens in small towns across Ontario.
Kelly Buchanan, the owner of the Goderich Grill, barely survived the tornado as her restaurant crumbled around her.
She says “I think [a tornado siren] is a fabulous idea. There were so many people that didn’t have any warning, myself included.”
Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt says the town will reinstall an emergency siren if the jury recommends it.
But, he says Environment Canada needs to improve their forecasting so they can effectively let residents know what’s coming.
“We had less than six minutes warning on this tornado. So we need to have a better system of warning from Environment Canada to the municipality. You just can’t operate within a six minute turnaround.”
Sifto has already implemented one change - the boat boom, the machinery Laberge operated, is shut down when winds reach 60 kilometres an hour.
The company has also said it is ready to implement recommendations made by the jury.
