Nearly 1,000 lighthouses, including iconic ones at Peggy's Cove, N.S., and Cape Spear near St. John's, N.L., have been declared surplus property by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
That designation means that they could be replaced with simpler structures, the department's website says.
"The Canadian Coast Guard undertook a detailed assessment of all the lighthouses it operates. The structures identified to be surplus under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act were those where Canadian Coast Guard officials have determined that they could be replaced with simpler structures whose operation and maintenance would be more cost-effective."
I would argue that the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove speaks to all the supposed rationalizations of the government in relation the G8/20 spendfest. It's a tourist attraction of the highest order, maybe the most recognizable symbol of the east coast. The lighthouse "showcases" Canada, it's a natural treasure. We have the government preaching "cost-effective", but they seem to find money for FAKE lighthouses.
Save the real lighthouses, because apparently money isn't an issue.