Kitsilano coast guard station closed in DFO layoffs

The Kitsilano coast guard station in Vancouver's English Bay will be shut down as part of a massive round of layoffs underway at the federal Department of Fisheries and Ocean, according to union officials.

More than 1,000 DFO employees, including 763 Canadian Coast Guard workers,received notices Thursdaythat their jobs could be affected by pending cuts.

Dave Clark, of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees says 153 letters are going out toemployees today in the Pacific Region, but it is unclear how many people will be losing their jobs.

Canadian Coast Guard officials met with staff at the Kitsilano station Thursday afternoon to discuss the details about the closure, according to officials with the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees.

Thestation is staffed by 12 crew and responded to almost 300 calls last year, many involving recreational boaters.

The local sailing community is shocked by the news, according to Eardly Beaton, a commander with the Vancouver Power and Sail Squadron.

News of the layoffs comes just two days before the launch of safe boating week at the Kitsilano station.

In February, theCAW launched a campaignopposing the federal government's cuts to the Canadian Coast Guard.