The senators arrived early in the morning to be greeted by a small group of protesters outside the civic centre where the three hours of meetings took place. The senators heard, behind closed doors, from a variety of different groups, including representatives of floatplane operators, mariners and municipalities; all of who were against losing manned lighthouses.

Senators visiting lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador are getting an earful about what the beacons mean to coastal communities. The senators are studying Ottawa's plan to remove lighthouse keepers in the province and in British Columbia. Senator Bill Rompkey says they're hearing that lighthouses are vital for safety and as heritage landmarks.

There are 23 staffed lighthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador and 27 in British Columbia. In the face of a fierce backlash, Ottawa has put its plan to remove lighthouse keepers on hold.

Senator Bill Rompkey says he fully intends to visit lighthouses and their keepers in B.C., even if the Senate committee he heads doesn't receive funding for members to travel here.

Rompkey told the Nanaimo Daily News this week that he "wouldn't have anything to do" with a final report on the services the nation's lighthouse keepers provide without face-to-face meetings with B.C.'s keepers to give them the opportunity to discuss their concerns and hear delegations on their own turf.