March 16, 1999
(Executive Council)

Province, community to work together to promote military training in Labrador

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Walter Noel and Ernest McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands and Minister Responsible for Labrador, held meeting on March 10 and 11 with the town council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and a number of other community organizations to discuss efforts to secure, promote and expand the military training program at 5 Wing Goose Bay.

The ministers also met with the base commander and senior officers of the Allied nations training in Labrador. Mr. Noel and Mr. McLean reaffirmed the province's commitment to the low-level flight training program and to helping make the program more attractive to current and future users.

"Since the community was formed, the base has been a source of stability for the region," said Minister Noel. "With a concerted effort on the part of the province, the community and the federal government, we can ensure that military training remains a strong contributor to the economy of the region and of the province."

"The province's objective is three-fold," said Minister McLean. "We want to ensure that the Allied nations training in Labrador are content with the training program, and the province is prepared to work with the Allies to address any issues that arise from time to time. We also want to encourage other nations - beyond the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany - to use Labrador for military training purposes. Finally, we believe that the Government of Canada should explore possible ways in which it can expand its military presence in Labrador by complementing the current low-level flying program and reinforcing its marketing efforts."

Minister Noel said: "We are committed to working cooperatively with all local stakeholders and with the federal government, both with pertinent federal ministers and the M.P. for Labrador, in a spirit of partnership to ensure that the base contributes as much as possible to economic growth in our province."

"The degree to which all stakeholders are committed to the task was clearly evident in our meetings in Happy Valley-Goose Bay," added Minister McLean.

The ministers and the mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay plan to seek a meeting in the near future with National Defence Minister Art Eggleton and Fred Mifflin, Newfoundland and Labrador's representative in the federal Cabinet, to discuss how the federal and provincial governments and the local community can cooperate in developing the full potential of the base.

Media contact: Lynn Barter, (709) 729-0084 or Rick Callahan, (709) 729-4860.

1999 03 16                                    5:00 p.m.