Vancouver – The BC Federation of Labour is welcoming news that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to re-open the shuttered Coast Guard Base in Kitsilano.
“We said from the very beginning that it was a mistake for the Harper government to close this base, and we fought it at every step,” said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour. “Vancouver has one of the busiest harbours in North America. The loss of that base put lives and our coast at risk.”
In a mandate letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Prime Minister Trudeau lists the re-opening of the base as a priority.
“I am relieved to hear that the base will be re-opened. I certainly hope this commitment is fast-tracked so public and marine safety is once again made a priority,” said Lanzinger. “We need to also keep pushing to stop other closures, including the Comox Coast Guard Communication base.”
The former Conservative government under Stephen Harper shut down the station in 2013, despite public concerns the closure would impact marine safety.