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The union representing Canada's Coast Guard Communications Officers says that Coast guard management is proceeding with a reckless plan to close the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) in Comox despite the fact that the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans is still investigating the proposal and has yet to make its recommendations.
Allan Hughes, Coast Guard Communications Officer and President of Unifor Local 2182, told the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans that front line officers have been informed that MCTS Comox will close on May 10. “Since this committee has commenced its work to review the planned Comox MCTS closure the coast guard seems to have accelerated its plans,” said Hughes.
“The Coast Guard has shown complete disregard for the Parliamentary process,” said Joie Warnock, Unifor's Western Director. “The decision to close May 10 was made while the Committee continues to hold hearings and gather evidence for its report.”
In prior testimony, Unifor warned the committee of audio issues that compromise marine safety and today Jody Thomas, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, admitted that there are technical problems with the new communications systems used at MCTS Victoria, where the Comox workload would be shifted.
During his testimony Hughes cautioned the committee that closing Comox will increase costs and, more importantly, the concentration of radio communications in Victoria will hamper officers in detecting calls for help.
"The Coast Guard is rushing into this despite evidence of flawed communication technology, critical staffing shortages and compromised marine safety," said Joie Warnock, Unifor's Western Director. "This is not only a bad business decision, it is a reckless one."
“Not a single MCTS officer or manager with operational experience was consulted before this decision was made,” said Hughes. “Closing the Comox centre does not make sense from a fiscal, operational, environmental or public safety standpoint."
Allan Hughes, Coast Guard Communications Officer and President of Unifor Local 2182, is available for media interviews in Ottawa.
