1.5: Canadian Coast Guard Rejuvenation

Improve service delivery to Canadians and ensure efficient, balanced, cost-effective practices to provide CCG services in the best way possible.

Other Information:

The Canadian Coast Guard is vital to the delivery of oceans priorities and programs, including marine science and fisheries management. CCG and its fleet are instrumental in saving lives, facilitating maritime commerce, reducing damage to property, protecting the aquatic environment, and supporting marine security.  The CCG's capacity to deliver on these priorities is eroding rapidly due to insufficient capital investment over the last 20 years.  There is also a need to examine the delivery of services and rationalize deployment of assets to best support results for Canadians. CCG will continue to use new technologies and strategic partnerships where necessary.Fisheries and Oceans Canada will implement the federal government's decision, announced in December 2003, to create the CCG as a Special Operating Agency (SOA) within the Department.  This will allow the CCG to focus on providing essential and valuable services to mariners in Canadian waters as well as support the Department's mandate through the provision of platforms for science and enforcement.The transition to SOA status provides the potential for new flexibilities to deliver more efficient and effective services as a national institution focused on operations. It also enables the CCG to continue to strengthen its relationship with the rest of DFO and deliver critical services to all clients, while positioning it to play an enhanced support role with the developing national security agenda. Milo Ewing represents the Canadian Coast Guard's responsibility to improve service delivery to Canadians by ensuring the continued operation of Marine Communications and Traffic Services equipment in the Maritimes Region.Another key aspect of the transition to the SOA and a focus on service will be the establishment of sound business management practices to ensure DFO has the ability to manage increased financial flexibilities. The Canadian Coast Guard is committed to the continued effective and efficient delivery of its mandate and to the provision of essential services to Canadians.  The CCG rejuvenation strategy aims to secure a sustainable service delivery model.  As part of that strategy, there is a need to examine options to renew the fleet's asset base.  This is to ensure the CCG's capacity to support the government's maritime priorities and programs, including maritime security, is on a sustainable footing.  The renewal of the CCG fleet is critical to implementing Canada's commitments to develop the Oceans Action Plan. The CCG provides platform support for all four pillars of the OAP.  Fleet renewal allows for enhanced on-water presence that will enable Canada to protect its territorial interests on all three coasts. There is also a need to examine a strategic investment and refurbishment of equipment to reinforce the Coast Guard's infrastructure.The CCG is well‑positioned to provide a cost-effective, value‑added contribution to marine security through its infrastructure, assets, personnel and an around-the-clock capability to incorporate marine security applications into some of its existing programs.  Consequently, the CCG has increased its support to other government departments and agencies to help enhance marine security.  The CCG is an efficient collector and collator of maritime traffic information.  Its operational readiness culture can link search and rescue, oil spill response and navigation safety capabilities directly into marine security demands for surveillance and information.   The Canadian Coast Guard will continue to transform marine services through technology based productivity improvements, client service innovations, alternative service delivery and greater use of partnering. One key initiative is Marine Aids Modernization, the main objective of which is to adjust the current aids to navigation service without reducing the level of service standards, while taking advantage of modern technologies.  This involves implementing new technologies, and contracting out commissioning, decommissioning and maintenance where it is viable and makes sense to do so.In transforming marine services, there is the potential to consider facilities rationalization in some situations.  The CCG will continue to explore rationalization options.  Gains are already being made in this area at the Dartmouth and Saint John bases.  As always, there is a need for comprehensive analysis before any options are considered.

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