Skip to content

Coast Guard better prepared on Vancouver Island

Federal funding will see three new lifeboat stations and better emergency management.
web1_Minister-oceans
The Federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Dominic LeBlanc, speaks with media in Victoria on May 31, 2017. (Twitter/@CCG_GCC)

Vancouver Island will be getting three new lifeboat stations to help ensure Canada’s west coast is better prepared and equipped to protect its marine environment and coastal communities.

In addition to three other stations in Eastern Canada and one near Prince Rupert, those on Vancouver Island will be established in Victoria, Port Renfrew and Nootka. The total cost will be $108 million over five years, with ongoing funding of $12.2 million.

The Canadian Coast Guard will also expand their emergency management and response capacity in Victoria to include a 24/7 schedule to better plan and coordinate during a marine incident.

“Today, the Government of Canada has taken steps to protect the health of our oceans and ensure the safety of those who enjoy and work on them. Through the Coastal Restoration Fund, we will support projects to rehabilitate some of our most important marine ecosystems,” said Dominic LeBlanc Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

“We will start announcing projects as soon as we can get this important work underway. We have also enhanced the Canadian Coast Guard’s 24/7 emergency management and response capabilities and will significantly increase the number of Canadian Coast Guard lifeboat stations in key areas.”

LeBlanc also announced a five year, $75 million national Coastal Restoration Fund to support marine habitat restoration and address threats to marine species located on Canada’s coasts and waterways.

Projects are expected to begin as soon as this summer and early fall.