Re-Open Kitsilano Coast Guard Base

The Issue

UPDATE AUGUST 19, 2015: Since the federal election has been called, the leaders of all 5 political parties are now potential decision makers and have been added to this petition.

In the wake of the recent oil spill in English Bay, it is more apparent than ever that the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base provided an essential service to Vancouver.  It was not just a rescue boat station, but  a command and control and response center, with the ability to aid in situations from oil spills, natural disasters, and even terrorism.

The closure of this base has saved the Federal Government a mere $700,000 per year.  That amount is a drop in an ocean of what the Federal Government spends on other things, including advertising. 

How can a price be put on a life, or on the environmental impact things like oil spills have on our waters and community?

The buildings are still standing, they haven't been torn down.  They could easily be re-staffed.  This is a resource that is not superfluous and redundant.  It must be re-opened.

 

 

 

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Sara GilbertPetition Starter
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Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 10,800 supporters!

The Issue

UPDATE AUGUST 19, 2015: Since the federal election has been called, the leaders of all 5 political parties are now potential decision makers and have been added to this petition.

In the wake of the recent oil spill in English Bay, it is more apparent than ever that the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base provided an essential service to Vancouver.  It was not just a rescue boat station, but  a command and control and response center, with the ability to aid in situations from oil spills, natural disasters, and even terrorism.

The closure of this base has saved the Federal Government a mere $700,000 per year.  That amount is a drop in an ocean of what the Federal Government spends on other things, including advertising. 

How can a price be put on a life, or on the environmental impact things like oil spills have on our waters and community?

The buildings are still standing, they haven't been torn down.  They could easily be re-staffed.  This is a resource that is not superfluous and redundant.  It must be re-opened.

 

 

 

"Vancouver Courier" image 

avatar of the starter
Sara GilbertPetition Starter
Media inquiries

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 10,800 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada
Responded
“The Conservatives’ sudden closure of the Kitsilano search and rescue station – despite widespread opposition from the Premier of British Columbia, the Mayor of Vancouver, many local safety experts, and the public – is appalling and completely disregards the safety and lives of Metro Vancouver’s marine community. The Kitsilano station is the focal point for safety, both on the waters of British Columbia’s lower mainland and at Canada’s busiest marine port, Vancouver Harbour, which reports over 350 incidents a year. By moving search and rescue responders 17 nautical miles away to Richmond, the Conservatives are forcing longer emergency response times with potentially dangerous consequences. We cannot wait for disaster to strike before acknowledging its grave error and the serious need for highly skilled search and rescue responders at the Kitsilano station. That is why Liberals have been clear: we will re-open a full service Coast Guard station in Vancouver, and reinvest in marine safety and oil spill response capacity on the BC coast. The Liberal Party of Canada is emphatically opposed to the Kitsilano Coast Guard closure and will continue to fight for the safety and security of our coastal communities. ”
Tom Mulcair
Tom Mulcair
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada / Chef, Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada
Responded
“The Canadian Coast Guard has long been a symbol of service and safety for Canadians. Its services have a direct and important impact on the lives of Canadians by helping to ensure their safety and keeping our Canadian waterways protected. When 2,700 litres of bunker fuel spilled from the MV Marathassa and quickly spread through the region, depositing oil on the shores of English Bay, Stanley Park, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Burrard Inlet, and fouling wildlife, it became clear just how important it is to have a well-functioning Coast Guard service. The Conservative government shuttered the Kitsilano Coast Guard station in 2013 to save cash. Regrettably, this decision continues to have a negative impact as was shown in the case of the MV Marathassa — the Coast Guard was slow to respond to — and unequipped to contain — the recent toxic fuel spill in English Bay. Experts have warned that closing Coast Guard stations across Canada puts the public at risk. Response times increase and lives are threatened when the Coast Guard does not have the resources and stations they need to do their job properly. That’s why it was so disappointing when Conservative MPs from B.C. failed to stand up for the West Coast and support an NDP motion in the House of Commons to reopen the Kitsilano coast guard station in Vancouver. This is a dangerous precedent that Mr. Harper has set. But what we’ve learned is we don’t even have adequate response time for a moderately sized oil spill. British Columbian’s deserve better. A NDP government would take a first step to repair the damage that created by Stephen Harper and his Conservative government. We will: • Reopen the Kitsilano Coast Guard base; • Reopen the Marine Communications and Traffic Service Centre in Ucluelet; • Stop closures of these centres in other locations; and, • Provide adequate funding for search and rescue operations.   These services will be essential in any disaster near the Lower Mainland coastline. Canadians can count on an NDP Government to work with provinces and municipalities on disaster relief efforts to keep our communities safe. There is more than we can do to protect our communities and environment from disasters. The Conservative decision to cut the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) and close the Emergency Preparedness College was short-sighted and will cost Canadians more in the long-term as first responders lack the training and equipment they need.   We’ve announced that an NDP Government will restore the $9 million annually in Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) for provinces and territories to help communities invest in emergency plans, equipment, training and capacity building.   This is not about ideology anymore. This is about common sense. This is about protecting people, about protecting ecosystems, about protecting our communities. Things you can’t put a price on! Best regards, Tom Mulcair Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada ”
Elizabeth May
Elizabeth May
Leader, Green Party of Canada / Chef, Parti Vert du Canada
Responded
“The Coast Guard must be available on our BC‎ coast. The Green Party has fought the Coast Guard closures since they were first announced in 2012, and we will continue to support policies that defend the health and safety of coastal communities. The English Bay spill showed Canada how an inadequate spill response strategy created a major health and environmental risk. Remotely controlling responses from Victoria is not the way to run a coastal response strategy. In the wake of the English Bay debacle, we re-assert the demand to re-open the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station. ”
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Member of Parliament Calgary Southwest
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Petition created on April 12, 2015