John Cummins, M.P. Delta-South Richmond

News Release

20 November 2002

If Coast Guard Has Responsibilities For Maritime Security
It Needs the Resources To Do The Job

OTTAWA– "The Coast Guard is a vital link in Canada's marine security and must have the resources to get the job done," said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-South Richmond).

An internal briefing document obtained by Cummins under Access to Information reveals that the Minister responsible for the Coast Guard, the Hon. Robert Thibault, has been advised that "the Canadian Coast Guard does not have a mandate for maritime security and the events of September 11 have not altered this."

The document further advised that September 11 presented three immediate challenges to the Coast Guard: (i) the need to take measures consistent with those taken by the US Coast Guard;
(ii) the need to review the Coast Guard's weakened operational capacity and failing equipment; and
(iii) the justifiable public perception that maritime security was being pursued with less vigour than aviation security.

Cummins challenged the Minister in Question Period on the mandate of the Coast Guard for maritime security and the immediate need for adequate resources so the Coast Guard can carry out this vital task:

John Cummins: Mr. Speaker, a briefing document prepared earlier this year for the minister responsible for the Coast Guard advised that: "The Coast Guard does not have a mandate for maritime security and the events of September 11 have not altered this."

Is it the position of the government that the Coast Guard lacks a mandate for maritime security?

Hon. Robert Thibault: Mr. Speaker, it is the position of the government that the Coast Guard works for the Department of Transport, with National Defence, the RCMP, the CCRA, and all other government agencies, on a very appropriate level of national security.

John Cummins: Mr. Speaker, that sounds like a mandate to me. A mandate means resources to do the job. The Coast Guard has less resources today than it did when the memo was written. Today there is no fuel for its ships and no uniforms for the crews.

How can the Coast Guard contribute to maritime security when its ships and crews cannot put to sea?

Hon. Robert Thibault: Mr. Speaker, once again he continues in his comedy of errors. The Coast Guard is fully fuelled. It is capable of going to sea if needed. In an effort to save expenses, to be responsible with our budget, we asked that unnecessary movements be curtailed. Primary responsibility for marine security is with the Minister of Transport. We support that, as well as the RCMP, the military and all other agencies.

Contact: John Cummins, M.P.
(613) 992-2957 or cell (604) 970-0937