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...]
Fight continues to save Kitsilano Coast Guard station
August 25, 2012 by
A strong turn out this afternoon as upwards of 100 people kept up the fight to save the Kitsilano Coast Guard base. The station is set to close at the end of the summer, as part of federal budget cuts. Union supporters and elected officials largely made up the crowd. Among the non-partisan group were Green Party leader Jane Sterk and NDP leader … [Read more...]
Minister says closing Kitsilano base makes sense
June 28, 2012 by
Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield says taxpayers expect the coast guard to perform essential, life saving activities, not help boaters who have run out of fuel or have engine trouble. Ashfield says the decision to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard base makes sense, since 72-percent of calls it receives are for those "non-distress" … [Read more...]
Kitsilano consultation…post-decision
June 25, 2012 by
It looks like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will consult on closing the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base, well after making the actual decision. A few weeks ago minister Keith Ashfield told CKNW, when pressed, his mind was made up on the issue. "So thats a no" "More or less I would say that that would be what I am saying right now, that is … [Read more...]
Firebug sought in Kitsilano
June 20, 2012 by
No one was hurt and the damage was minimal, but emergency crews in Vancouver have issued a warning about a firebug in Kitsilano. The arsons were committed in three alleyways overnight.Fire captain Gabe Roder says the first was reported at twenty to 11. “Two dumpsters that were set in the south … [Read more...]
Pedestrian struck and killed in Kitsilano
June 11, 2012 by
Vancouver's eighth traffic fatality of 2012 involved a woman struck by a car in Kitsilano during the noon hour. VPD Constable Lindsey Houghton says the 67-year old driver was trying to parallel park on the north side of the 28-hundred block of West Broadway. "Hhen for an unknown reason, the car accelerated, striking a 52-year old vancouver … [Read more...]
Minister defending Kitsilano closure
June 4, 2012 by
Federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield says he's confident the safety of mariners won't be compromised by the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base. Ashfield says as it stands, much of the current response to marine emergencies comes from near-by boats. "The JRCC, the joint rescue group through DND, they can task the closest boat at hand to … [Read more...]
An Order of BC recipient backs the Kitsilano Coast Guard base remaining open
May 25, 2012 by
A very respected member of the Search and Rescue community is throwing his support behind keeping the Kitsilano Coast Guard base open. Tim Jones with North Shore Search and Rescue, and an Order of BC recipient, says he doesn't want to wade into the politics between paid coast guard and volunteer auxillary. Jones says instead he has a simple message … [Read more...]
Moore defends Kitsilano Coast Guard closure
May 18, 2012 by
BC's highest ranking Conservative MP is defending controverial cuts to marine services. Heritage Minister James Moore says his government would never make a decision putting public safety in danger. "Keep in mind that British Columbians --we have more resources on the West Coast now than we did when we formed government, we have new harbour craft … [Read more...]
85-year-old hit by truck, killed crossing Kitsilano street
April 15, 2012 by
An 85-year-old man has died after being hit by a truck Sunday morning in Kitsilano. Police say the senior appeared to have been crossing West 4th Avenue near Larch Street around 10:30 a.m. when a three-ton truck struck him. Investigators don’t know if he had been jaywalking or using a crosswalk, so they’re looking for witnesses. The … [Read more...]
