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Newfoundland calls on Ottawa to reopen rescue centre after Quebec centre spared

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A Canadian Coast Guard officer works at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax on May 2, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador is renewing its fight to reopen a marine rescue sub-centre in St. John’s after Ottawa reversed plans to close a similar centre in Quebec.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Kent says he has written to federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea (SHAY) once again asking her to reconsider.

He says the province has consistently fought the decision since the St. John’s centre closed 19 months ago to cut costs.

A spokesman for the Fisheries Department says the Quebec centre, which was about to close, will stay open to ensure bilingual services.

Steve Outhouse says the plan to consolidate services in Trenton, Ont., was nixed because the department could not retain or train enough bilingual staff.

Outhouse says Ottawa has no plans to reopen the St. John’s centre and that rescues have been successfully co-ordinated from Halifax.

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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