The public won! Minister of DFO and Canadian Coast Guard reverses decision to close CCG services

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - June 15, 2017) - The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) is delighted that the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) chose to reverse its decision to reduce services to the communities of Vancouver, Gimli, Selkirk and Kenora.

Originally, as a result of a program integrity review, the CCG decided to reduce services including eliminating the dive capability at the Sea Island Base and marine services related to inland waterways. Unfortunately, the process has been a series of contradictions and confusion for both the communities and CCG members as different statements were being issued regularly by different senior managers.

"I think that it took the serious events on Lake Winnipeg for CCG to realize the short-sightedness of their decision. We are grateful that the Minister saw the light before a more severe accident occurred," said Christine Collins, UCTE National President. "What matters now is that communities and mariners alike can breathe a sigh of relief at not losing these valuable services."

The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees, a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, represents the ships' crew and search & rescue specialists with the Canadian Coast Guard.