Media Advisory - Opponents of planned closure of Kitsilano Coast Guard Station and other BC Coast Guard centres take Keep It Open! message to federal Conservative convention in Richmond TODAY - Saturday October 13 at 11:30 a.m. Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel - 7551 Westminster Highway

RICHMOND, BC, Oct. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Opponents of the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station and Marine Communications centres in BC will take a strong message to Conservative MPs and members attending their BC convention today at 11:30 a.m. - Keep It Open!

Keep It Open! is the message being delivered by Coast Guard supporters through leaflets to be distributed to MPs and delegates outside the event, at the:
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Highway

Unions representing Canadian Coast Guard workers will join with boaters and others to tell Conservative Members of Parliament and delegates that closing the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station and Marine Communications and Traffic Service centres in Vancouver, Comox and Tofino will cost lives.

Attending the leafleting will be: Dave Clark, Union of Canadian Transportation Employees BC Regional Vice-President, BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair, Public Service Alliance of Canada BC Regional Vice-President Bob Jackson and other strong supporters of keeping the Coast Guard stations open.

The federal government has decided to close the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station in the spring, leaving the average 350 search and rescue operations each year to the Sea Island Coast Guard Station hovercraft in Richmond, 17 nautical miles and a minimum of 35 minutes away.

Facebook Page - Save the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/435880883096290/

Websites: www.ucte.com http://psacbc.com http://www.bcfed.com

SOURCE: Union of Canadian Transportation Employees

Dave Clark at cell 778-322-2611 or Bill Tieleman, West Star Communications, cell 778-896-0964 or 604-844-7827.