To the editor:
I write in response to MP Wai Young's comments defending the Conservatives' decision to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station.
With respect, I could not disagree more. Experts are unanimous that closing the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station is misguided. Both the Vancouver Fire Chief and Chief of Police state that they do not have sufficient resources to cover the safety gap this move causes. All agree that response times will invariably increase, and lead to greater risk of injury and death.
Vancouver is a port city, and many British Columbians live, work and play on the water. The decision of the federal government to shut down the only Vancouver Coast Guard station is short-sighted and reckless. For a government that claims to place a high priority on public safety, this move is hypocritical and wrong.
Canadians should not have to pay for Conservative financial mismanagement by increased risks to our lives. It's important that Canadians let the Harper government know that it must change course and keep all our Coast Guard Stations open.
Don Davies, NDP MP Vancouver Kingsway
