Plans have been halted to de-staff 27 lighthouses in B.C. including Merry Island in Sechelt, Entrance island off Nanaimo and Chrome Island off Denman.
After a Senate Committee was struck earlier last year to look into the issue, the federal government announced March 23, that it would follow the recommendations of the committee and halt its plans.
"Our government recognizes both the significance of lighthouses and light-keeper services to the coastal communities they now serve, as well as the important role the Canadian Coast Guard plays in keeping mariners safe," said Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea in a media statement. "Therefore, I have instructed Canadian Coast Guard officials to respect the report and immediately halt plans to remove light-keepers from currently staffed lighthouses in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador."
Sen. Bill Rompkey said he is delighted by the decision.
"It's not every day that a Senate Committee gets a response that is so positive, so quickly," said Rompkey speaking on behalf of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. "I know those people who appeared before us on both coats will be even more pleased. To them belongs the real credit for this very welcome move by the minister. Their passion and commitment moved us and it clearly moved the minister as well."
The Committee will soon table its final report dealing substantially with the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, a private members bill in the Senate that became law after being sponsored by Senator Mike Forrestall, Senator Pat Carney and latterly by Senator Lowell Murray.
