MP Barron urges government to keep staff at Vancouver Island lighthouses, the day before cuts set to begin

OTTAWA – On Thursday, NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) urged the Liberal government to halt their plan to cut staff from two Vancouver Island lighthouses.

The Liberals are set to cut staff from the lighthouse stations at Pachena Point and Carmanah Point on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island starting Friday, Oct. 25. Local communities, including First Nations, lightkeeper staff and their union, and New Democrats have all called on the Liberals to freeze their plan because of the negative impacts on navigation, search and rescue, and emergency response operations. Community stakeholders have also raised concerns about a lack of adequate consultation prior to taking the action to de-staff the stations.

Today, the Liberals refused yet again – putting coastal communities at risk.

MP Barron’s question:

“This week, the Liberals are de-staffing two lighthouses along the coast of Vancouver Island without consultation. This jeopardizes emergency response, search and rescue, navigation and more.

Instead of supporting lightkeepers and the safety of our communities, the Liberals are choosing automated navigation systems. These cannot replace skilled people and don’t hear distress cries.

This move is dangerous.

Will the Liberals halt this decision immediately so as not to put our coasts at risk?”

Watch Barron urge the Liberals to reverse their plan to de-staff lighthouses.