Inquiry needed on centre closure: advocate

The Newfoundland and Labrador government should launch its own public inquiry into search and rescue services, says a worker fighting the pending closure of the federal response centre in St. John's.

Long-time Canadian Coast Guard employee Merv Wiseman said there are enough questions to justify an independent analysis into resources and services, including the federal Conservatives' decision to close the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre.

"It's an opportunity now for the provincial government to step up to the plate," said Wiseman, a shop steward who represents employees at the centre that's slated to close next June.

"We've had provincial inquiries, provincial and judicial inquiries before because of marine tragedies. Here's an opportunity for the government now to show some real leadership."

Wiseman said Tuesday the centre's value is high because staff are deeply aware of geography and can understand the variety of local dialects that come with distress calls, often in urgent situations and in unusual places.

"We need every second, every minute," he told CBC Radio'sSt. John's Morning Show.

A rally on Saturday at the St. John's waterfront drew a large crowd to protest the closure, including participation from provincial politicians of all stripes, including the governing Progressive Conservatives.

However, the federal government has been firm in its resolve. On Monday, federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield said the protest which police said drew between 2,500 and 3,000 people accomplished nothing in changing the government's view.

Ashfield, though, said he wished that he had not referred to the St. John's operation as a "call centre" during debate in the House of Commons.

"Perhaps I should have used better words, but I did use that terminology," Ashfield told CBC News.

"As far as regretting having said it, all I can say is that I should have used other words."

While Ashfield said he did not intentionally use the words to diminish the work done by the centre, other federal officials have used the phrase.

For example, an aide in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office used the phrase while speaking with CBC News shortly after a phone call between Harper and Premier Kathy Dunderdale last week, in which Harper refused to reconsider the decision.