BC’s civic politicians have voted at the Union of BC Municipalities convention to ask the federal government to talk to local governments over Coast Guard cuts.
The vote echoes a similar motion passed recently in Vancouver city council.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson “Today was a great statement from everyone across the province opposing the cuts to the Kits Coast Guard base and all the cuts to the Marine Communications Centres as well. I think everyone across the province in elected office is standing firm on this and we want to make sure the federal government hears that loud and clear.”
But Robertson says the federal government doesn’t appear to be listening to the chorus of voices opposing the reduction of Coast Guard services.
“I haven’t heard any willingness to sit and talk and go over the facts here and make sure we can state our case that prevents the closure and I am hopeful that you know Ottawa is going to listen that we are going to hear something from the Prime Minister’s office that opens that door and we can have a sensible and sane decision to reverse these cuts.”
Robertson says he is hoping the Prime Minister’s office will be open to reversing the cuts.
“We will keep the pressure up you know keep reaching out to Ottawa and try to get that meeting and make our case i think there is overwhelming support for this in BC and I think the pressure has to be on all the MP’s that are going back to Ottawa that you know everyone in BC needs to put that pressure on their local MP.”
Vancouver city council recently passed a similar motion asking to meet with the Prime Minister over the closing of Kits base.
About The Reporter
