Canadian Coast Guard Assures Quebec Facility Will Stay Until Other are Bilingual

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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An official statement released by the Canadian Coast Guard depicts that they will not be shutting down their search and rescue facility at Quebec until the Official Language Commissioner has been completely satisfied wither other facilities being capable to provide adequate French-language services. The statement issued by the Canadian Coast Guard on late Thursday stated that it has numerously inquired the Official Languages Commissioner to ensure that enough officials at the Halifax search and rescue centre are capable of speaking French to oversee Quebec.

The statement claims that the closure of the Quebec facility will not commence until Graham Fraser’s office gives a green light regarding the level of French language services match the ones currently available. This statement was an after effect of a recent protest in Parliament this week, prompted by the attempt of New Democrats to prevent the closure, alleging that it will place the lives of francophone sailors in danger. A concern was raised that there will not be enough French-speaking officers in centres in Halifax and Trenton, Ont., to respond to emergency calls from francophones.

The NDP attempted to call for an emergency motion to the floor of the House of Commons on the issue, however, the Speaker of the House denied the request. It was previously announced by the federal government last year that it has planned to shut down a rescue centre in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with a Quebec facility. However, the closure of the facility in St John’s prompted vocal opposition.