Coast Guard

From helicopters on emergency standby to cleaning up beer cans on the beach, we tally the total bill of the Port Huron Float Down gone awry

After erroneously alleging that the mayor of Vancouver hadn’t contacted the federal government to express opposition to cuts to the coast guard, James Moore heckled the clarification, delivered by the NDP’s Fin Donnelly during QP this afternoon, that the mayor had sent a letter to the Prime Minister.

James Moore defends the coast guard cuts in British Columbia and tries to take a swipe at Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

Global BC goes looking for Conservative MPs willing to talk about cuts to the coast guard.

The Vancouver Province obtains an internal memo detailing concerns about the closure of the coast guard base in Kitsilano, BC.

The Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni is unimpressed with planned cuts to the coast guard on the West Coast. And he blames “bureaucrats in Ottawa” for the decisions.

The NDP’s Fin Donnelly, who pressed the Fisheries Minister about the Kitsilano station last month, mocked Mr. Lunney in the House yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, there seems to be some denial on that side of the House about the implications of Bill C-38. Last Thursday, on a local radio station, the member for Nanaimo—Alberni lamented the closure of the Ucluelet communications centre and the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. However, Instead of taking responsibility, the member blamed “bureaucrats in Ottawa” for these closures. Ironically, he made these remarks less than 12 hours after he voted on the Trojan Horse budget bill, the very bill shutting down these stations.

The RCMP will close forensic labs in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina. The consulate in Buffalo will be closed. The British Columbia government is unhappy with the planned closure of a Canadian Coast Guard station in Kitsilano. And a team of pollution monitors will be cut.

The Scene. Peter MacKay, as is his habit, was up before the questioner was even through. This is, presumably, what the Defence Minister does to demonstrate confidence. Or impatience. Or a general disregard for proper manners.

There’s no tried-and-true way to limit the damage

Former Toronto taxi driver is now in charge of a Somali coast guard