Disgruntled neighbours have sent a request to the Office of the Auditor General seeking a comprehensive assessment of military helicopter noise on the Saanich Peninsula.
The petition sent Monday is signed by John Kafka, president of the North Saanich Residents Association, Chief Tanya Jimmy of the Tseycum First Nation, Chief Rebecca Harris of the Pauquachin First Nation, and retired judge Ben Casson, of North Saanich.
The group is unhappy about current and potential future noise from helicopters based at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, located on Victoria International Airport lands.
A new $155-million hangar was built to house nine new Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones. They will replace six Sea King helicopters now using the hangar.
The group complaining about noise said consultation and assessments were insufficient prior to the new hangar being built. It is calling on the federal government to examine and address the impact of Cyclone helicopter noise on residential areas near the airport.
It also wants to see measures implemented to mitigate noise from Cyclones.
The Department of National Defence has said that it carried out consultations and that the Cyclones meet noise standards under national civil aviation rules.
Military aircraft duties include search-and-rescue operations and surveillance.
