10/25/2017 15:03 EDT | Updated 10/28/2017 15:23 EDT

Liberals promise new funds for cash-strapped coast guard, fisheries department


The question is whether the new funding will be enough.


The government says the funds will be used in a variety of ways, including maintenance to keep the Coast Guard's aging ships, navigational aids and communications equipment in working order.




Fisheries spokeswoman Carole Saindon said the new funding promise arose out of that review, which itself came after officials spent years trying to get more money for "key deficit areas and to carry out our mandate."

The review showed "a clear and pressing need for new, ongoing investments to ensure the delivery of services that save lives, protect the marine environment, create jobs and drive sustainable economic growth," she said.


"Good on them for helping on the operational side," he said. "But $200 million per year? Come on."




"For several years," officials wrote, "CCG has been attempting to protect these services from reductions by reallocating funds from maintenance."

The decision to divert money away from maintenance isn't insignificant given the age of the coast guard's fleet, with many of its ships more than 30 years old and some approaching 50.

"Operating aging vessels is challenging, as older ships break down more frequently and cost more to repair," Leblanc was told. "In 2013-14, 1,595 operational days were lost due to breakdowns."


But the entire strategy has been marred by delays and cost overruns, which forced the government to look for stop-gaps such as refitting extremely old ships or, when that won't work, leasing privately owned vessels.




There were also concerns with science and research infrastructure, which officials said was "aging, expensive and risks falling below international standards."

Huebert said the main problem is that official Ottawa doesn't consider Canada to be a maritime nation, and that the importance of the coast guard and Fisheries Department are too often out of sight - and out of mind.