Fighting for St. John's rescue centre: Dunderdale
Premier said she won't give up after Harper rejected her overture
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale said Thursday morning the fight to reverse a federal decision to close a search and rescue co-ordination centre in St. John's is not over.
Dunderdale who said she is in "serious disagreement" with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and "extremely frustrated", offered to cost share operation of the Maritime Rescue Centre in St. John's.
She said the prime minister told her that reversing the decision would put him in difficult position regarding other cuts the federal government is making.
Dunderdale said despite their conversation the fight to save the centre on the southside of St. John's harbour will continue.
A spokesperson for Harper said closing the centre is an "operationally sound decision" that's 'fiscally responsible."
Dunderdale said all members of her caucus will be at a rally planned for Saturday in St. John's on Harbour Drive at 11:30 a.m., but she will be away at a family function.
As part of the federal government's effort to save millions of dollars, search and rescue co-ordination services in St. John's are slated to move to existing Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centres in Halifax and Trenton, Ontario.