The closing of 10 marine commutations and traffic services centres, including one in Thunder Bay, will result in safety issues, officials with the CAW say.
In a news release issued Friday by the Canadian Auto Workers, the union criticizes the Canadian Coast Guard’s announcement that it will close the 10 services centres across Canada beginning in 2014 and 2015.
A source close to Thunder Bay Television said the local impact of this decision would be about 13 lost jobs.
Along with the Thunder Bay services centre, closures are expacted in St. John’s and St. Anthony, NB, Riviere au Renard and Montreal, Que., Vancouver, Tofino and Comox, B.C.
Meanwhile, Canada’s department of Fisheries and Oceans states that improving safety is behind the closures.
“The safety of Canadians and mariners is the top priority of the Canadian Coast Guard,” said Minister Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in a recent statement.
“Improving and integrating communications centres across the country will ensure that important information can be properly broadcast to mariners and emergency calls will be received under all circumstances.”
A spokesperson with the department added that services provided by Coast Guard communications centres with outdated technology, like the Thunder Bay Marine Communications and Traffic Services, will be merged into one of the larger, better equipped and resourced centres that is being modernized in Ontario.
