The federal government will be closing the Kitsilano search and rescue station in Vancouver by the end of the summer in the latest round of sweeping budget cuts.
Union workers are outraged given that the Coast Guard office is located in Canada's largest port and responds to around 300 emergency calls a year.
"We feel very concerned about what that will mean for the boating public and for the commercial marine sector in this area," said Gerry Moores, a representative of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees.
Kitsilano is one of only two stations serving the greater Vancouver area, the other being a hovercraft unit on Sea Island in Richmond. "When you cut 50 per cent of the capacity to respond to search and rescue calls, obviously that's gonna be something that's felt," Moores added.
According to Christine Collins, national president of the union, the idea is to "amalgamate" the operation with the station in Richmond. "But that means longer response times which can mean the difference between life and death," Collins explained.
The job cuts are part of the government's plan to reduce the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' operational budget by $79.3 million over three years.
Canadian Coast Guard workers were hit hardest by today's announcement, and union officials predict 763 people will lose their jobs.
But the federal government says it plans to only cut about 400 jobs across the country. A government spokeswoman said the hovercraft base on Sea Island will pick up the slack.
"The bases are located only 17 nautical miles apart – their services overlap entirely," said Erin Filliter. "Levels of service will remain the same and consistent with other major ports."
Vancouver Centre Liberal MP Hedy Fry said there are plenty of other places the Conservatives should cut before the Coast Guard.
"The decision was made without any consultation with the people of Vancouver. It's going to jeopardize people's lives and safety," she said.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward
