The federal Liberals are paying more attention to the concerns of the West Coast — a welcome change of course from Stephen Harper’s government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is putting millions of dollars into the Canadian Coast Guard, fisheries and derelict boats. It seems like only yesterday that Harper’s Conservatives were shutting or consolidating coast guard stations and laying off fisheries scientists.
It appears that, at least in some areas, the Liberals have listened to coastal dwellers.
Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc has committed $1.4 billion to “rehabilitate” the federal fisheries department and the coast guard after years of cuts.
His other announcements included:
• $75 million to establish a coastal-restoration fund over five years to support marine habitat restoration and threats to marine species such as Pacific salmon.
• $108.1 million over five years to establish seven new lifeboat stations — four of them on the West Coast — with ongoing funding of $12.1 million.
• $6.85 million to prevent and clean up abandoned and derelict vessels.
• 24/7 capacity for the Coast Guard National Command Centre in Ottawa.
The new lifeboat stations will be in Victoria, Port Renfrew, Nootka Sound and Hartley Bay, where the people of the First Nation took their boats to rescue the survivors of the Queen of the North disaster. Their heroism is being recognized in a concrete way.
The money for abandoned and derelict vessels, as well as for education, is a start, but is far from enough given the scale of the problem. One recent cleanup of a large derelict ship cost more than $1 million.
For all the excitement over the renewed commitment, volunteers involved in projects such as salmon enhancement were shocked to learn that some have lost their funding. The volunteer salmon-enhancement groups up and down the coast are a vital part of maintaining the health of our fish stocks. They deserve support.
LeBlanc said despite the cuts, the government will put more into salmon enhancement through other programs. We must view that with suspicion, as vague promises have a way of being forgotten.
Suspicion also attaches to the government’s motives in the big announcements. Many will point out that Trudeau’s approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion casts doubt on the sincerity behind these new initiatives, because the pipeline and tankers could jeopardize the coast that Trudeau has just invested in protecting.
However, the investments are worthwhile in themselves. They will make a difference to British Columbians who use the sea for recreation or for their livelihoods, and to all those who value the health of our coast.
