Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:

Honourable senators, I would like to add a few short comments to the debate of this report concerning the de-staffing of lighthouses on the east and west coasts.

Lighthouses evoke strong emotions in us, certainly as icons of beauty along our coastline that evoke the romance of the sea, but, more practically, they represent safety and protection. Whether Canadians are on the water for fishing, shipping, or recreation, lighthouses have an essential role to play as aids to navigation.

The decision of whether or not to de-staff these lighthouses must take into account the variety of important roles lightkeepers fill. Staffed lighthouses in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador offer a variety of complementary services, such as search and rescue, assisting mariners in distress and weather monitoring for air and sea. Lightkeepers already provide services unrelated to marine safety but benefit government agencies and the public. Lightkeepers assist in scientific and climate change research; maintain seismic monitoring equipment; and report sightings of threatened or endangered species such as whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Staffed light stations are also involved in the RCMP's Coastal Watch Program, which assists in identifying persons, vessels, vehicles, and aircraft that may constitute a threat to Canada's national security, or may be involved in illegal activities.

Honourable senators, lightkeepers told the committee that they felt that in addition to maintaining the light, they could also undertake other duties or expand activities they already perform. In some cases, lightkeepers already play a role in tourism, assisting hikers where the lighthouse is in a park, and managing plant resources in delicate ecological areas. However, the true value is their efforts in saving lives, by maintaining the light, assisting in search and rescue, and providing immediate, accurate weather and sea state conditions to approaching mariners and aviators.

I had the pleasure of visiting both coasts as part of the fact-finding visits the committee undertook for this study. I was fortunate to visit some of those lighthouses, which have stood for decades protecting our coasts and those people who make their living from the sea. I was struck by the remoteness of some of these lighthouses, and the multi-faceted role lightkeepers play.

Although the Coast Guard proposed the de-staffing as a cost-saving measure, the committee was convinced by the overwhelming testimony we heard from coast to coast that staffed light stations play an essential role that cannot be filled with automated stations. Automated equipment is seen to be unable to compare with the certainty, reliability, knowledge and judgment of an experienced lightkeeper. Fishermen, in particular, expressed concerns to the committee that the new automated lights were insufficiently bright and less reliable than the staffed lights.

Nonetheless, advancements in technology, current needs and cost all must play a part in determining the fate of each lighthouse. Yet, each light station is unique. Its placement, purpose, benefits, costs and importance must be evaluated individually on a station-by-station basis, with input from the lightkeepers themselves and from the community. The committee strongly recommends that the government's one-size-fits-all approach to de-staffing must be reconsidered.

The government's all-or-nothing approach is also disturbing in relation to the recent decision to declare over 1,000 light stations surplus under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act. The sheer number of lighthouses declared surplus is staggering. In my view, the certainty that lights on a metal tower can always be equally effective as traditional lighthouses is still in question. Furthermore, it is unclear if the community has had sufficient understanding of the process regarding protecting surplus lighthouses. In addition, the states of disrepair some of these lighthouses have fallen into threaten the viability of community groups assuming responsibility for their future. These issues and others must be examined as part of our ongoing study into the implementation of the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act.

In conclusion, honourable senators, I commend the committee's report on de-staffing to the chamber and encourage the government to consult broadly on the light station on a light station by light station basis, and examine the opportunities presented by staffed light stations before any further action is taken to de-staff lighthouses.

Recent Statements from Liberal Senators