Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:

Honourable senators, I would like to add a few short comments to the debate on this report concerning the de-staffing of lighthouses on the East and West Coasts. I wish to begin by thanking the former chair of this committee — our former colleague — Senator Rompkey for so competently guiding us through this study. I would also like to commend Senator Manning for so ably outlining the contents of this report to the chamber.

Lighthouses are more than simply icons of beauty along our coastline which evoke the romance of the sea. More practically, they represent safety and protection, and act as aids to navigation for crafts on the water for fishing, shipping or recreation. 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.

I had the pleasure of visiting both coasts as part of the fact-finding the committee undertook for this study. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Manning that it is important for Senate committees to not just sit isolated here in Ottawa but, when the subject matter warrants, to travel to other parts of our country to dialogue first-hand with Canadians. I certainly gained a new perspective on the role of staffed lighthouses after visiting several as part of this study.

I was struck by the remoteness of some of these lighthouses and the multi-faceted role lightkeepers play, assisting in search and rescue, providing weather monitoring, assisting hikers and participating in the RCMP's Coastal Watch Program, to name a few.

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 fulfilled with an automated station. 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 staffed lights.

I am pleased that the Minister of Fisheries has heeded the committee's recommendation regarding halting immediate plans for de-staffing. Once more, the value of the work of the Senate committee is apparent.

This report had four other recommendations, as Senator Manning outlined. I would reiterate the committee's view that staffed lighthouses provide an opportunity, not a liability. As the committee recommended, before any further discussions take place about de-staffing as a cost saving measure, a full cost-benefit analysis should be conducted on the additional services staffed light stations provide. In fact, many lightkeepers felt there were even more roles they could fulfill while staffing the light station, and opportunities for cost-sharing between departments might be available. These opportunities should be explored.

In conclusion, honourable senators, I commend the committee's report on de-staffing to the chamber. I support the motion that the report be adopted and that the Senate request a detailed and complete response by the government. I look forward to a detailed response from the Minister of Fisheries to all recommendations within the report.

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