The union representing Coast Guard workers says new technology being used at communication centres in Victoria and Prince Rupert pose a threat to vessels.
“We are very concerned with the sound clips we’ve obtained through Freedom of Information. We’re also concerned from anecdotal reports from frontline staff,” says Joie Warnock, Unifor’s Western Director.
In a presentation today to the the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa, garbled audio was played from the Iqaluit station.
Get daily National news
“You can’t even understand it. It’s echo-ey, it’s garbled, and in some places, in some times, it’s not even working,” said Port Moody—Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly after the meeting.
READ MORE: Coast Guard experiences another communications outage
Coast Guard communication officers says it’s proof that new technology deployed at consolidated stations is not reliable. But senior officials say this is an exception.
“New technology is there, we’ve seen vast improvements in the communications messages across the country, other than one message,” said Greg Lick, Director of General Operations in the Victoria communications centre.
– With files from Kylie Stanton
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.