Close X
Monday, December 16, 2024
ADVT 
National

Transport Canada Report Raises Alarm Over Aging Coast Guard Fleet

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Apr, 2016 12:37 PM
  • Transport Canada Report Raises Alarm Over Aging Coast Guard Fleet
OTTAWA — A report done for Transport Canada and quietly tabled in the House of Commons, paints a grim portrait of the country's coast guard fleet, saying it is understaffed, desperately in need of new ships and without political support.
 
The comprehensive analysis of the nation's transportation network was submitted to the Trudeau government last December, but not tabled until the end of the February. 
 
It points out that coast guard vessels, including northern icebreakers, are on average 34-years-old and that the often-hyped National Shipbuilding Strategy will not replace them at a quick enough pace to bring that average down at all.
 
 
The report, which was accepted by Transport Minister Marc Garneau, also notes that the hands of the civilian service are tied in the sense that it is required to purchase its replacement ships from Canadian shipyards and that outsourcing or leasing cannot be used to meet short-term requirements.
 
The coast guard falls under the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Department, where no one was immediately available to comment.
 
Vancouver-based Seaspan Shipyards is planning to build the replacement vessels, and is one of two companies designated as the federal government's go-to shipbuilders.
 

MORE National ARTICLES

Man Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder In Deadly Toronto Community Shooting

Man Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder In Deadly Toronto Community Shooting
Two people were killed and 22 others were injured in the Danzig Street shooting as rival gang members fired shots at each other.

Man Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder In Deadly Toronto Community Shooting

Ex-Mountie Who Smuggled Narwhal Tusks Extradited To U.S.

Ex-Mountie Who Smuggled Narwhal Tusks Extradited To U.S.
Gregory Logan, 58, of St. John, waived the right to a detention hearing Wednesday in Bangor, Maine, after being extradited to face charges of money laundering.

Ex-Mountie Who Smuggled Narwhal Tusks Extradited To U.S.

Court Approves Ontario's 1st Doctor-assisted Death For 81-Year-Old Man

Court Approves Ontario's 1st Doctor-assisted Death For 81-Year-Old Man
Superior Court Justice Paul Perell gave the green light after a 30-minute hearing today.

Court Approves Ontario's 1st Doctor-assisted Death For 81-Year-Old Man

Canada Wants Long-Term Plan Before Saying 'Yes' To New Libyan Anti-ISIL Mission: Harjit Sajjan

Canada Wants Long-Term Plan Before Saying 'Yes' To New Libyan Anti-ISIL Mission:  Harjit Sajjan
Canada would need to hear a number of things from its allies — notably a long-term strategy — says Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

Canada Wants Long-Term Plan Before Saying 'Yes' To New Libyan Anti-ISIL Mission: Harjit Sajjan

Terror Suspect Mohamed Harkat Plans Ministerial Plea To Stay In Canada

Terror Suspect Mohamed Harkat Plans Ministerial Plea To Stay In Canada
 Terror suspect Mohamed Harkat, facing deportation to Algeria, plans to ask Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to allow him to remain in Canada.

Terror Suspect Mohamed Harkat Plans Ministerial Plea To Stay In Canada

Ottawa Faces Renewed Calls To Let Canadians Spend More Without Paying Duty

Ottawa Faces Renewed Calls To Let Canadians Spend More Without Paying Duty
U.S. senator urged at least one Trudeau cabinet minister in Washington to bump up Canada's duty-exemption limit from its current level of $20, a business source told The Canadian Press on Wednesday.

Ottawa Faces Renewed Calls To Let Canadians Spend More Without Paying Duty