The official results weren’t released yet, but it looks like the bid to breathe new life into a former civic political powerhouse in Vancouver has failed. The Non-Partisan Association held its annual general meeting last night. It was seen as a battle between the old guard, and a slate of people who want to change the NPA. In the end, though, … [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...]
North Vancouver City pleads with Feds over Coast Guard
June 29, 2012 by
The City of North Vancouver has asked the Federal Government to reverse Coast Guard cuts. Mayor Darrell Mussatto says Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the Feds to reverse course on the cuts. Mussatto says the City is concerned about safety on the water but he isn't worried about the downloading of cost, "I would have before, but … [Read more...]
What services should the Coast Guard be responsible for?
June 27, 2012 by
What types of services should Coast Guard be responsible for, and what should be left up to either other agencies or even private industry?That's a question being raised, as the controversy over the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base continues.Only 36 calls responded to by the Kits base last year were for maritime distress.Coast Guard's … [Read more...]
NDP calling for united front against Coast Guard closure
June 27, 2012 by
The NDP's public safety critic is calling for the BC Liberals to join them in presenting a united front to Ottawa opposing coast guard cuts.Kathy Corrigan says the federal government is refusing to listen to stakeholders who are telling them, to a man, closing Kits base is a bad idea.Corrigan says it is time for the opposition and the BC government … [Read more...]
Feds launch online response to Coast Guard criticism
June 27, 2012 by
The Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans has come under fire for its plan to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, and now it has launched a website to counter critics.Keith Ashfield, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, was in Vancouver to defend the federal government's decision to shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard base.And on the back of telling … [Read more...]
Stakeholders disappointed after Coast Guard concerns fall on deaf ears
June 26, 2012 by
The general manager of the Jericho Sailing Centre is wondering why the Fisheries minister bother to meet with stakeholders at all. Mike Cotter says not one of the stakeholders who met with Keith Ashfield were supportive of the closing of Kits Coast Guard base. He even says they left the meeting feeling optmistic the minister took their … [Read more...]
MP expresses concerns about coast guard cuts
June 19, 2012 by
He may have voted for the Tories' massive budget bill, but one Conservative MP says he still has concerns over cuts to the coast guard.In a statement released yesterday, Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney repeats his earlier concerns over the downsizing of marine communication centres along the coast, as well as the closure of the Kitsilano … [Read more...]
Rift builds between Coast Guard, volunteers
June 14, 2012 by
The volunteer Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue group says they are talking to Ottawa about the recent Coast Guard cuts. However President Randy Strandt says at this point their message to Ottawa isn’t one of opposing the closure of Kits Base. "We have had a few chats now with them although that is still fairly preliminary with us … [Read more...]
The fight to save Kits Coast Guard base is getting attention on the East coast
June 14, 2012 by
The Fight to save the Kitsilano Coast Guard base is attracting attention from Canada’s East coast. 35 year retired veteran with the recently shuttered St Johns rescue sub-centre in the Maritimes Merv Wiseman says it is an all too familiar scene playing out in Vancouver. "The common thread is that the government has gone about this business in … [Read more...]
