Close X
Tuesday, December 17, 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

Indian-American Netizens Favour Donald Trump As US President

Indian-American Netizens Favour Donald Trump As US President
Indian-Americans' political preferences seem to be shifting in favour of the Republican Party, particularly Donald Trump, its front runner for the White House

Indian-American Netizens Favour Donald Trump As US President

Seagulls Rescued From Tofu Vat Behind Vancouver Factory To Get Oil-Spill Baths

Dozens of trapped seagulls are to be treated as oil-spill survivors after being saved from an industrial waste container in Vancouver.

Seagulls Rescued From Tofu Vat Behind Vancouver Factory To Get Oil-Spill Baths

Property Sales Set Blistering Pace In February Across British Columbia

Property Sales Set Blistering Pace In February Across British Columbia
The B.C. Real Estate Association said 9,637 residential units changed hands across the province in February.

Property Sales Set Blistering Pace In February Across British Columbia

Rona Ambrose Says Justin Trudeau Should Have Pressed Obama On Keystone

Rona Ambrose Says Justin Trudeau Should Have Pressed Obama On Keystone
Ambrose says the prime minister did what he had to do during his visit to the U.S. capital last week.

Rona Ambrose Says Justin Trudeau Should Have Pressed Obama On Keystone

Female Teacher, 36, Charged With Sexual Assault Of Nova Scotia Junior High School Student

Female Teacher, 36, Charged With Sexual Assault Of Nova Scotia Junior High School Student
The RCMP say in a news release that Sarah Allt Harnish of Stillwater Lake, N.S., will appear in Halifax provincial court on May 3 to face the charges.

Female Teacher, 36, Charged With Sexual Assault Of Nova Scotia Junior High School Student

Case Of Quebecer Facing Terrorism Charge Adjourned Until The End Of March

Case Of Quebecer Facing Terrorism Charge Adjourned Until The End Of March
Ismael Habib appeared in court today in Montreal where he was expected to have a date set for a bail hearing.

Case Of Quebecer Facing Terrorism Charge Adjourned Until The End Of March