North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney is encouraging residents to show their support for local businesses who are fighting to have weather stations in the region adequately repaired and maintained.
In a media release, Blaney stated she held a roundtable discussion with local business owners following the tragic plane crash near Port Hardy that occurred on a day when six weather stations were down. Now those local businesses have started a petition to push the minister of transport and the minister of environment and climate change to fix all weather stations in the North Vancouver Island region, the release stated.
Weather updates from such stations provide critical information for people travelling in float planes and boats, which affects their ability to travel safely within the region, according to the release. Travellers in rural and remote regions require timely and accurate information so they can avoid extremely dangerous situations resulting from unexpected weather systems.
“The Grief Point weather station went down when there was a severe weather event occurring in the service area of Malaspina Strait,” stated Ken White, of Powell River. “How dare Environment Canada play with my safety on the water. When I cannot get a wind speed from the Grief Point marine weather station, my safety on the water is affected. It’s outrageous that after two months Environment Canada has not fixed this yet.”
The current station malfunctions and lengthy repair times have left the North Island plagued with deadly travel situations as the weather reporting is grossly unreliable at the best of times, especially for an area with such unpredictable weather patterns, stated Therisa Lowe, of Sealand Aviation in Campbell River.
“A solid maintenance and repair plan for current weather stations along with the installation of additional weather stations would be an investment that would save many lives in the future and bring the North Island up to date with the technology,” stated Lowe. “Steps must be taken to ensure the safety and lives of travellers on the North Island, residents, workers and tourists who deserve safe passage.”
Many people in the riding have either been directly affected by or know someone who relies on operational weather stations to keep them safe as they move through the region, the release stated. It is unacceptable that such essential equipment is allowed to go without proper repair or maintenance for months and even years, putting people’s lives at increased risk, according to the release.
“The government needs to know that this situation is dangerous,” stated Vince Crooks, of Wilderness Seaplanes in Port Hardy. “We are hoping folks will sign the petition to show their support of our local businesses that rely on the weather stations, but also to send an important message to the feds that Canadians deserve safe travel throughout this region. No one should lose a loved one because of poorly maintained weather stations.”
