VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – BC’s senior federal minister continues to defend Ottawa’s decision to shut down the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station.

Delegates at the Union of BC Municipalities convention have passed a resolution opposing changes to the Coast Guard.

James Moore shoved back at Vancouver City Council for blasting the closure and saying BC MPs are not speaking up for the province.

“The reality is that the City of Vancouver — and all British Columbians, as a matter of fact — have more Coast Guard resources, have better coast guard protection, than any other port on any other coast in all of the country, even with the changes at Kits,” maintains Moore.

His defence comes even as rescue coordination centre staff say the closure could endanger lives.

Follow News1130’s Dan Burritt on Twitter; he’s in Victoria for the UBCM convention.