Senate committee recommends lighthouse staffing be maintained for now

Published on December 21, 2010; Published on December 21, 2010
The Canadian Press ~ The News

Topics :: Senate committee , Department of Fisheries , OTTAWA , Newfoundland and Labrador

OTTAWA — A Senate committee that travelled to two provinces to study lighthouse operations in the country is recommending Ottawa continue staffing the facilities for now.

The committee says the Department of Fisheries should halt its lighthouse destaffing plan and suggests future staffing decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.

It says guidelines and consultations are needed to determine whether keepers should be maintained in Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia.

Senator Bill Rompkey, chair of the committee, says they were unanimously recommending continued staffing after hearing overwhelming support for lighthouse personnel on both coasts.

The committee also recommends a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis be done on the full range of services provided by staffed lighthouses.

Fisheries Minister Gail Shea announced the review and stalled plans to remove lighthouse keepers amid fierce criticism last year, as some argued the move would cost lives at sea.

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