Ottawa hands Coast Guard to defence after damning audit

[IronNoggin]

Ottawa hands Coast Guard to defence after damning audit​

The federal government has stripped the fisheries department of responsibility for the Canadian Coast Guard and placed it under the control of Defence Minister David McGuinty, following an audit that found the service was falling apart under its old management.

“The Canadian Coast Guard fleet is aging as vessels approach and exceed their intended end of service life,” warned a 2024 evaluation that called the fleet obsolete.

It found 30% of ships had less than five years of service left, while more than a quarter were already past their expiry dates by up to 14 years.

Blacklock's Reporter says some had been pushed 17 to 36 years beyond their intended lifespan.

With unscheduled breakdowns mounting, taxpayers paid $320.5 million in 2023 just to keep the ships afloat, more than a tenth of the Coast Guard’s $2.4 billion budget.

Managers admitted the state of the fleet was causing delays in search and rescue, gaps in icebreaking, and lapses in marine security.

Defence officials said the transfer would “enhance coordination” and improve maritime security.

McGuinty called the change “an important step that will allow us to better coordinate our efforts at sea.”

The Coast Guard had been under fisheries since 1995, and before that under transport.

Cabinet confirmed it will remain a civilian unit, but because NATO rules allow Coast Guard budgets to be counted as military spending, its $2.4 billion is already factored into Ottawa’s pledge to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP defence target.

The audit also flagged a severe staffing crunch, with the Coast Guard struggling to recruit and retain certified personnel amid fierce competition with private industry and other government departments.

Ottawa hands Coast Guard to defence after damning audit

The federal government has stripped the fisheries department of responsibility for the Canadian Coast Guard and placed it under the control of Defence Minister

www.westernstandard.news

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

That’s pretty funny DFO must be the most incompetent bafoons around. How do we get the fish responisbility transferred away from the department

 

[Whole in the Water]

Whaddya know ol DFO incompetence strikes again. Time to disband the whole outfit and start over!!!

 

[OldBlackDog]

Whaddya know ol DFO incompetence strikes again. Time to disband the whole outfit and start over!!!

Liberals!

 

[Whole in the Water]

Nothing to do with any political party - DFO has been incompetent for decades regardless of what party is in power. That is why is need to be totally dismantled and rebuilt properly.

 

[agentaqua]

Back in 1990 - personnel in the Coast Guard knew a merger with DFO was coming, and NOBODY in the Coast Guard wanted it.

Generally, people in the coastal villages on all the coasts LOVED the Coast Guard, and HATED DFO. They still do.

Then it actually happened in 1995. It was worse than even expected as the Coast Guard had to take on DFO's fleet of boats with no new monies for maintenance and upkeep.

SO, the Coast Guard had to scrap it's fleet revitalization plans - and use the money that was going to be used for new boats to instead maintain DFOs boats. As usual - it all looks good from lofty Ottawa.

That's why Coast Guard boat planned life were extended and that has impacted the Coast Guard's ability to do their jobs.

 

[onefish]

Generally, people in the coastal villages on all the coasts LOVED the Coast Guard, and HATED DFO. They still do.
yes sir!

 

[ship happens]

That’s pretty funny DFO must be the most incompetent bafoons around. How do we get the fish responisbility transferred away from the department

It's about time

 

[OldBlackDog]

Nothing to do with any political party - DFO has been incompetent for decades regardless of what party is in power. That is why is need to be totally dismantled and rebuilt properly.

Cabinet confirmed it will remain a civilian unit, but because NATO rules allow Coast Guard budgets to be counted as military spending, its $2.4 billion is already factored into Ottawa’s pledge to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP defence target.

Liberals. They did this to lie about money spent on military.

 

[wildmanyeah]

its funny how its DFO's fault not the Liberals setting the budgets and who approve all the ships, maintenance, replacement schedule ect.

I suppose its also revenue Canada's fault when taxes rise or brackets change.

those incompetent public servants

 

[Bryan Allen]

its funny how its DFO's fault not the Liberals setting the budgets and who approve all the ships, maintenance, replacement schedule ect.

I suppose its also revenue Canada's fault when taxes rise or brackets change.

those incompetent public servants

Awww. now dont go spoiling a perfectly good rant .... and yes the senior masters in Ottawa are the ones really responsible when it comes to doling out budgets to the different areas of the country where the CCG and DFO operate. But its a few of the senior mandarins that keep their jobs by telling the Cabinet what they want to hear. From there the decision tumbles down the line. Over the years , I got to know a bunch of the DFO Patrol Boat skippers and FOs...All good men who took their careers seriously. When the rant starts about stupid things like a barbed hook ... do you really think they are the ones that make to rules ?

 

[agentaqua]

its funny how its DFO's fault not the Liberals setting the budgets and who approve all the ships, maintenance, replacement schedule ect.

I suppose its also revenue Canada's fault when taxes rise or brackets change.

those incompetent public servants

I guess you missed OBDs post just above yours:

Cabinet confirmed it will remain a civilian unit, but because NATO rules allow Coast Guard budgets to be counted as military spending, its $2.4 billion is already factored into Ottawa’s pledge to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP defence target.

Liberals. They did this to lie about money spent on military.

 

[ziggy]

This is just a means to try and meet our NATO spending commitments. Essentially to put the Coast Guard spending on DND’s budget to try and hit the spending minimum, which should have been always the case. I suspect the desire to keep the Coast Guard ships unarmed and civilian was a factor? Countries like the US have done this for years, but some of their Coast Guard units are armed and operate with the USN. It will be interesting to see if our Coast Guard also becomes armed and operates with our military units like the US, or if it’s just a paper shuffle. Hopefully it all works out for everyone!