July 29, 2019
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Canadian Coast Guard saves lives, protects the environment, and helps our economy grow, while keeping our waters safe, secure, and open. That is why, in 2016, the Government of Canada reopened the Coast Guard base in Kitsilano, British Columbia, and began work to modernize, expand, and improve the station. It is also why, earlier this year, we announced an investment of $15.7 billion to renew the Coast Guard fleet.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the completion of major renovations to the Coast Guard base in Kitsilano, British Columbia. With the enhanced, reopened station, the Coast Guard can respond more quickly and efficiently to emergencies on our waterways, and strengthen its environmental response operations on the West Coast.
The crew at the Kitsilano Coast Guard base has already been working hard to keep B.C.’s waterways clean and safe. Since its reopening, the base has conducted 345 environmental response operations and over 830 search and rescue missions in the Greater Vancouver Area.
The Prime Minister also announced today that the CG 158 response boat based permanently at Kitsilano has been named the CCGS Laredo Sound, after an ocean passage off the scenic central coast of B.C. This vessel was added to the Coast Guard fleet in Vancouver in 2017, and significantly improves response times for environmental incidents and search and rescue missions in all weather conditions.
These investments build on the Government of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, a historic, $1.5 billion investment to safeguard our oceans, coasts, and coastal communities.
Quotes
“The Canadian Coast Guard does essential and often life-saving work. By reopening and renovating the Kitsilano base, we’re making sure the Coast Guard has the modern facilities and equipment they need. As the climate crisis places more demand on the Coast Guard, we can count on them to keep serving Canadians – protecting our environment, growing our economy, and keeping our waters safe, secure, and open.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada