May 17, 1996
(Government Services and Lands)

McLean Reacts to Appointment of Chair for Institute of Environmental Monitoring and Research

Ernest McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands, said today the province welcomes the appointment of a chair for the Institute of Environmental Monitoring and Research in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The appointment of Dr. Louis LaPierre as chair of the institute was announced yesterday by David Collenette, the Minister of National Defence, and Sergio Marchi, the federal Minister of the Environment.

"I have been assured that Dr. LaPierre is a qualified and impartial individual with expertise in environmental matters," Mr. McLean said. "I look forward to meeting him to discuss the role of the institute."

Dr. LaPierre is a biologist at the University of Moncton. He is chair of New Brunswick's Fundy Model Forest, and a former chairman of New Brunswick's Round Table on the Environment and Economy.

The establishment of the institute was a key recommendation of the federal environmental review of military flight training. It will oversee research on the environmental impacts of the Allied military flight training program which is conducted at Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay. The institute will be run by a board of directors, comprised of Labrador and Quebec aboriginal groups and community organizations from Labrador and northern Quebec. It will be based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

"Dr. LaPierre will need staff members who have detailed knowledge and experience of Labrador, and are from Labrador," Mr. McLean said. "Given the importance that military flight training holds for Labrador's economic, social and cultural well-being, we will want to see that Labrador's interests are safeguarded by the institute. In this context, my hope is that Dr. LaPierre will consult closely with the people of Labrador on the establishment of the institute. It is also my hope and expectation that Labradorians will form the core of the institute's staff."

Contact: Gary Callahan, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729-1983.