Outspoken Coast Guard supervisor loses position

Those opposed to the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base occupied the base for 24 hours in protest on Sept.15, 2012. (CTV)

A former Coast Guard supervisor who lost his job after expressing concerns about the pending closure of the Kitsilano base is speaking out in an exclusive interview with CTV News’ Investigators.

In July, an explosive confidential memo about the closure penned by rescue coordinators was obtained by the press. The employees’ supervisor Marc Proulx was among the intended recipients of the letter, which stated closing the Kits base would endanger the lives of mariners.

In turn, Proulx, a 30-year Coast Guard veteran, shared his own fears about the Kitsilano closure with his boss.

“We thought it was internal at the time,” Proulx said. “Since it’s gotten out, we stand on our position that we believe there will be additional risks.”

Last week, Proulx was devastated and shocked when he was told that his contract as regional supervisor would not be extended. He went back to his previous role as marine coordinator.

Proulx says the decision could have been affected by his position on the Kits closure.

A Coast Guard spokesperson told CTV News the decision did not have to do with the Kitsilano closure, and was a routine staffing change.

But others disagree. “Everybody’s afraid to talk. Marc Proulx had the backbone to say something,” said Tony Toxopeus, who worked for the Coast Guard for 31 years.

He calls Proulx an excellent officer and feels he is being punished for speaking out on the issue.

Toxopeus is adding his voice to the chorus of critics demanding the Coast Guard reverse its decision to shut down the Kits base. Toxopeus drove the hovercraft stationed in Richmond for 12 years. He says relying on the hovercraft more for rescues could be dangerous because it can take up to an hour to get from the Sea Island base to the Granville Street Bridge.

Toxopeus agrees with the concerns in the internal Coast Guard letter about volunteers helping to replace the Kits staff.

“The boat at Kits is manned by trained professionals, the Coast Guard auxiliary doesn’t have that professionalism. It’s going to result in much poorer coverage of the Vancouver harbour,” said Toxopeus.