Dear editor,I am writing to Prime Minister Harper and MP John Duncan to express my concern and absolute outrage at the proposed closing of the Coast Guard stations in Vancouver, Comox and Tofino.The proposed elimination of services these Coast Guard stations provide will result in the deaths of Canadians.I have lived my life in Vancouver and Comox and had friends who died at sea in storms. I have watched marine gas stations blow up in the Vancouver Harbour, boats explode, pleasure craft lose their engines, people fall overboard 鈥� you name it, it's happened.What has always reduced the number of lives lost is the ability of the Coast Guard to get to a situation quickly. In the case of Vancouver harbour, there is no way anything will get from Richmond to Vancouver harbour in a timely manner, except maybe to pick up the bodies, but certainly not to save people. The Kitsilano Coast Guard station is called out 300 times a year. Who is going to pick up the work if they no longer are there?In Comox, with the sudden changes in weather and high winds, more than one boat has gone down. We need the local Coast Guard to be able to go out and not only locate the people but to rescue them.Helicopters cannot always fly in the weather we have here. Only boats are able to get to the people. Boats coming some distance away will not make it on time.Vancouver, Comox and Tofino all have small pleasure craft and wind surfers. What will happen when they run into danger and need assistance?New equipment that observes will not save them. The only thing that saves lives at sea are fast boats 鈥� close at hand 鈥� and qualified people.Now as I understand the media reports, these closures are all in aid of saving $11 million. My question is, which one of you gentlemen will be going to tell the families of people who die it was because you wanted to save $11 million?This weekend, the media reported Canada has spent $28 billion in Afghanistan and PM Harper has agreed to have Canada pay an additional $110 million each year.If Canada's deficit is so serious I would suggest we get out of any over seas actions next week, if not sooner. It will save an enormous amount of money.These monies can then be spent paying down the deficit and saving Canadians who get into trouble at sea. Oh, and I'd suggest we forget about those new jets or at a min. get something a lot less expensive. I understand our tax dollars can only go so far. However, these tax dollars are from Canadian citizens and I would suggest we spend them on Canadians and the services they need. E.A. Foster,Comox
