OTTAWA, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Parks Canada announced plans to reduce
the length of its season and hours of operation to "periods of highest
requirements" for the boating season and the associated workforce.
This results in changes to the operating season for not only employees
but boaters, marinas, boat operators and any community dependent upon
tourism along the canals and waterways.
"The public wasn't even given the courtesy of notice that this was on
the chopping block," said Christine Collins, National President of the
Union of Canadian Transportation Employees.
To add insult to injury they have already sold a number of season passes
to the boaters without providing information regarding the reduction of
operating hours and the season.
For the last four years Parks Canada has had a safety campaign to ask
boaters to reduce their speed and minimize the wakes while in the
canals. "With the reduction in hours boaters are going to speed to make
it to their destination within the shortened time frame. This flies in
the face of their safety campaign."
The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees represents the canal lock
masters at Parks Canada and is a component of the Public Service
Alliance of Canada.
