$5 Million Investment in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary to Ensure Safety and Security of Mariners

Today at the Canadian Coast Guard’s office in Sarnia, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton Patricia Davidson, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted the Government’s continued investment in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) to ensure safety and security of mariners
MP Davidson was joined by CCGA members serving the Sarnia area, and by the Canadian Coast Guard’s Director of Operational Personnel Larry Green.

This year alone, the CCGA received over $5 million of funding to support their work across Canada.

The CCGA is an important national volunteer maritime rescue and safety organization that conducts Search and Rescue exercises and assists the Canadian Coast Guard in search and rescue response and prevention activities in communities across Canada. Close to 5,000 volunteers are dedicated to search and rescue and safe boating activities as well as saving and protecting lives in the marine environment.

In the past three years, the Government of Canada has invested nearly $1 million per year in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Central and Arctic Region. Here in Sarnia, the PointSAR unit surveys the water from Sombra up to Kettle Point. Their fourteen-member team is an active part of the community and takes part in local events to promote safety during the busy recreational boating season.,

Quick Facts:

• In the Auxiliary’s Central and Arctic Region, there are 11 auxiliary units in the Arctic and 92 units in the south.
• The majority of CCGA members are commercial fishers and pleasure boaters who donate their time and vessels to assist the CCG Search and Rescue Services program.
• Nationally,close to 5000 volunteers of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary participate in approximately 2000 search and rescue missions each year, resulting in more than 200 lives saved.
• The Government provides annual financial support in six federally incorporated CCGA to conduct search and rescue operations, training exercises and business planning, coordination and administration. These regional organizations work together through a national corporation.
• Members of the CCGA can benefit from the Search and Rescue Volunteer tax credit introduced in Budget 2014. Starting in 2014, volunteers with 200 hours of service are eligible for a non-refundable tax credit.

Quotes:

“The safety and security of Canadians from coast to coast to coast are of utmost importance to the Government of Canada. By supporting important organizations like the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, our Government is helping to save more than 200 lives annually.”

~The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

“Here in Southern Ontario, the Great Lakes are at the core of our economic and social fabric. That is why volunteers like our Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary members are so important to our communities. Regardless of the weather conditions, members of the Auxiliary brave the elements and do whatever needs to be done for the safety and well-being of others. Our Government is grateful and proud to support these brave and dedicated volunteers.”

~Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton

“This announcement is a nice recognition for the hard work, commitment and dedication that our brave volunteers provide. The Government has acknowledged the key role these crews play in essential search and rescue services. Each of these volunteers is providing an ´essential service´ to their community as without them, the safety of those in danger on the water would be further in peril. They are literally the difference between life and death in over 200 cases every year.”

~Randy Strandt, President Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

“The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Central and Arctic has an excellent professional relationship with our partner the Canadian Coast Guard. We are both focused on saving lives on the water which is our primary mission and with the support of the Canadian Coast Guard we can provide a second-to-none search and rescue service to the Canadian boating public. In essence we are a family working closely together to serve the boating public and are very proud of the work we do on behalf of and with the assistance of the Canadian Coast Guard.”

~Jim Coolen, President, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Central and Arctic

Contacts:

Michele Boriel
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537

Sophie Doucet
Director, Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3437

The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary conducting search and rescue exercises in Central and Arctic region:

For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca .