Christine Collins News

The Union representing Search and Rescue (SAR) specialists with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is unsurprised at findings of the Auditor General's Spring 2013 Report. "Our members are strong, dedicated individuals so it comes as no surprise that they meet the standard to respond to an emergency 96% of the time. They should be applauded that they are doing so much despite the challenges they face," said Christine Collins , National President of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees. On the other hand the union points out that the Canadian Coast Guard's decision not to offer training in order to ensure that qualified personnel are always available is highlighted in the Auditor General's report.

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) advises union of immediate closure of Kitsilano Search & Rescue (SAR) Station in Vancouver, BC. "I can't understand why the Conservative government is doing everything in its power to put Canadians at risk," said Christine Collins , National President of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees in response to a phone call from the Canadian Coast Guard. The closure comes as part of a long line of attacks on CCG's ability to do effective search and rescue. To date, the CCG has closed the Marine search and rescue station in St. John's, NL which monitored Canada's longest coastline and now the Search and Rescue Station at Kitsilano, BC which is the busiest port in Canada.

The Canadian Coast Guard's decision to replace Search & Rescue personnel with auxilliary volunteers is a direct insult to mariners in Vancouver says UCTE. Christine Collins , National President of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) sees the Coast Guard as thumbing its nose at Search & Rescue professionals. As part of its budget saving measures, the CCG had decided to close the search and rescue station in Kitsilano, BC. causing a public outcry. The new Auxilliary station will be located in Stanley Park. "With five auxiliary stations in the Greater Vancouver area, one would think that CCG would want at least one base that would have dedicated, trained professionals with appropriate resources who can deal with any eventuality", said Collins.

Amongst those receiving notices today are technical inspectors responsible for marine safety and security, as well as civil aviation airworthiness inspector. "We are deeply concerned for the safety of the travelling public. Once again, inspectors in marine safety and security as well as civil aviation are being chipped away at a time when we both know there are not enough inspectors to do the work," said Christine Collins, National President of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees. Included in this number is the elimination of communication specialists and various administrative functions and, most notably, all regional Health and Safety Advisors who were recently hired to help bring the department into compliance with federal Health and Safety legislation.