BC's highest ranking Conservative MP and Federal Heritage Minister is standing firm on Coast Guard cuts despite widespread criticism. James Moore says the cuts must be taken into context. "If you just say the Kits Coast Guard station is being closed will there be an impact on services the answer would be yes but if you put it into … [Read more...]
A retired Coast Guard member is absolutely blasting federal government cuts
May 29, 2012 by
A retired coast guard member, and Conservative supporter, with thousands of search and rescue missions under his belt says the federal government needs to reverse course on closing Kits base or pay the price at the polls Dave Howell, a 37 year veteran who began his career at Kitsilano Base, is taking issue with James Moore's claim safety … [Read more...]
Auxillary Coast Guard says they weren’t consulted before government cuts
May 24, 2012 by
The Pacific Region Auxillary Coast Guard says they too were surprised by the federal government's move to close the Kits coast guard station. Randy Strandt with the auxillary says while the federal government has been in touch since the announcement, they weren't consulted beforehand. "I can say for certainty no pre-knowledge on … [Read more...]
Safe boating week kicks off in Vancouver, days after Coast Guard cuts announced
May 19, 2012 by
It's safe boating week here in B.C. The campaign kicked off this morning – steps away from the soon to be shuttered Kitsilano Coast Guard station. But there doesn't appear to be much of an appetite to address the obvious irony. Vancouver police Sgt. Norm Webster was asked if he expects the department to boost enforcement. "I’m not … [Read more...]
West Coast Fisheries and Oceans Critic disputes claims of consultation on cuts to marine services
May 18, 2012 by
The NDP's critic for West Coast Fisheries and Oceans disputes the Harper government's claims of widespread consultation before cuts were made to marine services in BC. BC's top cabinet minister in Ottawa, James Moore, says the cuts to the Kitsilano Coast Guard station and marine communication centres shouldn't have come as a surprise. Vancouver … [Read more...]
Librarians leaflet as protest over budget cuts
May 9, 2012 by
A group of angry Vancouver library workers staged a leaflet campaign outside the International Writers Festival (tonight), protesting an almost 500-thousand dollar operating budget cut. CUPE-391's Alexandra Youngberg says the cuts will mostly affect reference services, "We're the only union that is facing a lawyer at the bargaining table. … [Read more...]
Provincial ministers to discuss proposed cuts to urban search and rescue
May 5, 2012 by
Proposed federal funding cuts to urban search and rescue teams is on the agenda as provincial ministers responsible for emergency management meet in Victoria this weekend. "Obviously the search and rescue units that are at risk across the province, I'm sure will be a topic of discussion for the provincial ministers with the federal minister," says … [Read more...]
Federal job cuts in the thousands coming to BC
April 12, 2012 by
The recent Federal cuts to public-sector jobs are starting to take shape in BC. Bob Jackson, with the Public Safety Alliance of Canada, says 5-thousand Federal public workers, 200 in BC, have been told their jobs are in jeopardy. He says they've gotten a letter saying their particular job is affected, which could mean they lose it, get a … [Read more...]
Webtech cuts fourth-quarter loss to $934,000
March 17, 2012 by
VANCOUVER - Webtech Wireless Inc. cut its net loss in the fourth quarter to $ 934,000 from $ 8.2 million a year earlier when it took a large writedown.The Vancouver-based company, which develops, manufactures and supports technology to improve the performance of vehicle fleets, said revenues grew four per cent to $ 11.4 million on higher … [Read more...]
BC Hydro cuts 300 jobs from its workforce
October 12, 2011 by
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's power utility says it's cutting its workforce by 300 people this week.BC Hydro says it's part of a workforce reduction that will see staff reduced by about 700 positions over the next three years.The utility has already cut 250 positions.President and CEO Dave Cobb says the utility needs to keep power rates low for … [Read more...]
