The Union representing Coast Guard members is warning it won’t just be the dock, the Federal Government wants to tear down the entire Kits Coast Guard Base.
Canadian Transportation Employees Union Regional Vice-President Dave Clark says it is crazy to see the Kits Base dock being removed, “It doesn’t make any sense. It is interesting, I have never seen Government work so fast.”
Clark says it is pretty clear the Federal Government and Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield want to prevent the base from ever being re-opened, “My understanding is that Ashfield has put an order to demolish the building ASAP. This is definitely not about the safety of Vancouverites, it is about getting rid of a smear to their reputation.”
Clark says his union will make sure voters are reminded of the Kits Coast Guard Base closure in the next Federal Election.
“We are still thinking we can keep this open if we get a little bit saner of a government but you know what people have to pay for the mistakes they make and this is a mistake and they are jeopardizing BC’ers. We are going to get this reopened if it is with a new government or this government comes to its senses. Absolutely in 2015 we will be reminding people of this.”
Kits base was closed suddenly last week with no notice to mariners or to the province while the latest BC budget was being unveiled in Victoria.