Firing of Canadian Coast Guard captain who ignored distress call was justified: board

A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter flies over the port of St. John's, N.L., on Saturday, June 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

HALIFAX — The federal labour board says the Canadian Coast Guard was justified when it fired a coast guard captain for wilfully ignoring a distress call from a fishing boat that ran aground off P.E.I. in May 2024.

In a recently released decision, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Board says that when the captain heard the call for help, he turned down his radio and did not provide assistance until he was specifically directed to do so.

During a labour board hearing, the captain argued that coast guard vessels must be formally tasked before responding to distress calls.

But the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which oversees the coast guard, said tasking was not necessary, adding that the captain should have responded as quickly as possible.

The board found that the employer had reasonable grounds to discipline the captain.

The board determined the captain’s actions amounted to misconduct that justified discipline under the Canada Shipping Act and the employer’s policies.

As well, the board said the captain’s refusal to acknowledge that he should have acted differently outweighed his lengthy and otherwise distinguished service.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 10, 2026.