The Vancouver Sun reports in its Saturday edition that the man who would lead the response to a West Coast oil spill disaster, and who last year questioned federal leadership on the issue, now says Ottawa is acting to resolve almost all of his concerns. The Sun's Peter O'Neil writes that Kevin Gardner is president of Western Canada Marine Response, a private sector organization that since 1995 has been certified by Transport Canada to respond to Pacific coast spills. Mr. Gardner delivered a critical behind-closed-doors assessment of Ottawa's performance on spill preparedness before a Harper government-appointed panel in June, 2013. These days, Mr. Gardner will not comment on his 2013 criticisms, other than to feebly say every family has its disputes. The jury remains out on Ottawa's reaction to Mr. Gardner's criticism that Ottawa is not providing adequate scientific research to improve industry's ability to deal with large and small spills. In 2013 Mr. Gardner said new research and development are lacking. He said, "There should be government participation in R&D." Mr. Gardner said in 2013 that modernization is needed of the current standards and requirements.