WHEREAS the Canadian Coast Guard has announced its intention to reduce the number of Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communication and Traffic Services MCTS Officers on watch at five strategically located centres in British Columbia, three of which are on Vancouver Island, possibly posing a serious threat to the safety of coastal communities, boaters, fishers, mariners, aviators and the environment; AND WHEREAS the lives of many residents and visitors in these communities could be put at risk by the reduction of officers at MCTS centres: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the federal government to maintain the current levels of staff on watch year round at all five MCTS centres on our coast; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Ministry of Fisheries Oceans to suspend the announced closure of Coast Guard facilities on the West Coast and that UBCM host a meeting of impacted communities and the Minister to discuss the impacts of these closures and possible alternatives to closures.
