The federal government continues to defend the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base. At an announcement in North Vancouver, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose insists safety will not be affected by the base closing – which happened without warning on Tuesday. Ambrose says the decision to drop $ 6-million in Newfoundland the next day was … [Read more...]
Closure for Kits, money for Newfoundland
February 21, 2013 by
While the Harper government shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard station on Tuesday, today in Newfoundland it has announced it's spending 6.6 million dollars on a few building for the life boat station in Burin. That station has been operating since 1973 and it's building is dilapidated. As well, St. John's Newfoundland will be the new headquarters … [Read more...]
Vancouver Mayor reacts to Kits Coast Guard base closure
February 20, 2013 by
Vancouver's Mayor says the sudden closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base has left the city's harbour vulnerable. Gregor Robertson says he was shocked and disappointed with Ottawa's decision. He says now he has huge concerns for life and safety risks, adding "We have Police and Fire boats that are now basically the default here, don't have the … [Read more...]
Citizens, politicians rally against Kits Base closure
January 19, 2013 by
Speakers from all provincial parties have spoken against the planned closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base at a rally Saturday afternoon. Event organizer Dave Clark with the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees says there's still time for the Harper Government to rethink closing the base. "As Adrian Dix said and others said, we will … [Read more...]
BC A-G re: Kits Base closure: “It’s not good enough!”
January 10, 2013 by
That's the reaction of BC Attorney-General Shirley Bond to the federal government's latest announcement on the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base in Vancouver. While this is a step in the right direction you know there still exists a number of months of the year where there isn't additional support being provided and so far, from our … [Read more...]
Protesters gather outside Conservative convention, in opposition of Kits Base closure
October 13, 2012 by
It was an opposition blackout as supporters of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station rallied outside a gathering of federal conservatives. While the dozen or so demonstrators carried signs and held placards outside, those inside the Richmond Sheraton Hotel would hardly have noticed. That's because a makeshift barrier was set up at an entrance with a … [Read more...]
City wasn’t in the loop on planned Kits base closure
September 18, 2012 by
Vancouver's Deputy City Manager has told council he had no idea the federal government was planning to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard station until he read about it in a newspaper. Sadhu Johnston is refuting government claims key stakeholders were consulted. He adds recent meetings with the feds have not gone well. "The direction we've been given … [Read more...]
Closure of coast guard station won’t hurt emergency crews at this summer’s Celebration of Light
July 28, 2012 by
Ottawa's plans to shut down the Kits Point coast guard station won't hurt emergency crews at this summer's Celebration of Light fireworks, but concerns are being raised about next summer. "Right now, we're just finding our way on that and then, from there make operational plans." Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney says it doesn't look like the … [Read more...]
Federal, provincial NDP slam Kits base closure
July 11, 2012 by
The leaders of the federal and BC NDP have renewed their call for the Harper government to reverse the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. Thomas Mulcair joined Adrian Dix in the sunshine at the Kits base late this morning. "I in my 35 years of public administration and politics, have never seen a decision quite like this one where a … [Read more...]
MLA fears bad outcome of Coast Guard closure
June 29, 2012 by
The BC Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano says the Federal Coast Guard cuts are just one tragedy away from being reversed. Ralph Sultan says he would prefer to have the Coast Guard than not, "You know it will only take one or two really bad incidents to turn this thing around in a hurry, would be my forecast. Lets hope it never … [Read more...]
