e-53 (Canadian Coast Guard)

Petition to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

• The Harper Government's closure of Coast Guard Marine Communications and Trafffic Services Centres (MCTS) in Canada was done: 1. without consultation with stakeholders; 2. without conducting a risk assessment; 3. without regard to the technical difficulties; 4. without regard for the increased threat of marine accidents that will have a negative effect on coastal communities; 5. without considering the reduction in redundancy of coverage provided by the MCTS Centres that have been closed; 6. without regard to the fact that, when the MCTS Centre in Comox is closed, the two remaining Centres in Prince Rupert and Victoria are located in Tsunami Zones leaving the entire West Coast vulnerable in the case of a major seismic event; 7. without regard to chronic staffing shortages that have plauged the MCTS Program for years due to difficulties recruiting and retaining staff; and 8. without regard to the concerns of the people and communities involved.