There will be another rally to try and save the Kitsilano Coast Guard base Saturday morning. The Rally is being organized by Vancouver Liberal MP Hedy Fry. She says it is time the federal government listened to the overwhelming chorus of voices opposing the move and warning of the consequences. "C'mon this is...we are not beating … [Read more...]
Mayor of Vancouver hails UBCM vote on Coast Guard cuts
September 27, 2012 by
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 … [Read more...]
Fall out in the Joint Rescue Co-ordination centre after leaked Coast Guard report
September 25, 2012 by
After a confidential report on the closing of Kits Coast Guard base was leaked, a member of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre has been told his contract will not be renewed. Public Service Alliance of Canada BC spokesperson Bob Jackson says the move to suddenly crack down on a supervisor at JRCC is unusual. "The understanding that I … [Read more...]
The NDP say it is time to discuss if the Coast Guard should be its own ministry
September 24, 2012 by
The NDP's west coast fisheries critic says perhaps it is time to look at how the Coast Guard is run after deep cuts from Ottawa. Fin Donnelly says it might be time to debate how the Coast Guard is run at the top. "You know there have been several discussion over time whether it should be Transport, or its own Ministry, or under DFO so … [Read more...]
Vancouver city council demands meeting with the Prime Minister over Coast Guard cuts
September 18, 2012 by
Vancouver city council has passed a motion, calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the pending closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base. Mayor Gregor Robertson says there's a good chance lives will be lost if operations are re-located to the base in Richmond. "As elected officials, we must continue to … [Read more...]
Kitsilano Coast Guard “sit-in” ends
September 15, 2012 by
The protest is over - for now.That from B.C. Federation of Labour boss Jim Sinclair, at the end of a 24-hour "sit-in" at the Kitsilano Coast Guard station.Sinclair was joined by almost a dozen others, as they fight the Harper Government's decision to close the base next year. "I think the key to this is the Conservative MPs. I think that if they go … [Read more...]
Coroner’s jury says keep Kits Coast Guard base open
September 14, 2012 by
A coroner's jury has made four recommendations, after an inquest into the December 2010 death of 35-year old John Jason Erslavas. Erslavas was under the influence of cocaine and methamphetamines when he was confronted by Vancouver Police near Canada Place. He was acting erratically, apparently threatening to hurt someone. When police approached … [Read more...]
BREAKING: 24 hour occupation at Kits Coast Guard base
September 14, 2012 by
About a dozen activists, including the President of the BC Federation of Labour, are staging a 24 hour sit-in at the Ktsilano Coast Guard station. The federal government has ordered closure of Kits base. Political consultant Bill Tieleman has been working with the coast guard union. He says some pleasure boaters, tugboat operators fishermen are … [Read more...]
Mayors to weigh in on coast guard cuts
September 11, 2012 by
The Union of BC Municipalities' 2012 convention will be getting underway in a couple of weeks, and the province's mayors will all be weighing in on cuts to the coast guard. A resolution set to go before the convention calls on mayors to petition the federal government to maintain the current levels of staff on watch year-round at five marine … [Read more...]
A confidential report warns lives are at risk if Kits Coast Guard base closes
September 6, 2012 by
A confidential report on the impacts of closing Kits Coast Guard base seems to back up virtually every concern made by those who oppose the move. The report was done by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and aquired by CKNW. Two areas are defined as "high risk" they are response times and possible overuse of the inshore rescue boat … [Read more...]
