Premier Christy Clark says her government is petitioning the federal Tories to reconsider the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base.
Clark made the announcement Monday, following a public request from NDP leader Adrian Dix for the Liberals to join forces with his party in fighting the closure.
"We are way, way ahead of him on that issue," the premier told reporters Monday. "The minister of justice has written a letter to the federal government telling them how disappointed we are in this and asking them to reconsider it."
She said she understands the pressure the Conservatives are facing to balance their budget, but suggested they try to find more cuts to make in central government instead.
"I think a lot of us who use the ocean, and I'm one of them, want to know that no lives will be imperilled," Clark said.
Ottawa announced last week that the station will close in October as part of the latest round of budget cuts. Federal government representatives have said that the Sea Island base in Richmond, about 30 minutes away by hovercraft, should be able to pick up the slack with help from other agencies like the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue. The Kitsilano base responds to between 200 and 300 calls for help every year.
The Coast Guard has acknowledged that the only group consulted in the decision to close the station was the Department of Defence.
