More info on a Jazz Air incident...
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/...9/a02o0349.pdf
...a Bell 206
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/air/...6/a00q0046.pdf
I don't think Canada is any less safe than any other developed nation. You can find similar reports (a few about BA) on the AAIB site in the UK, as well as the NTSB site in the US.
Reports such as these serve to demonstrate the general malaise affecting our industry. This malaise is the constant pressure on costs with many managers - no doubt unwittingly - compromising safety. Unfortunately, it is up to maintenance staff to refuse to release affected aircraft and for flight crews to refuse to operate them; all easier said than done.