Ministers respond to planned reduction of RAF personnel at 5 Wing Goose Bay

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush, and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernie McLean today responded to the recently announced plans by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to reduce its permanent personnel stationed at 5 Wing Goose Bay.

"While government is obviously concerned over any reduction of services at 5 Wing Goose Bay, we have been assured that this will have no impact whatsoever on the overall level of flying activity currently taking place at the base," said Minister Lush. "The RAF has indicated the reduction is with the number of permanent personnel that are stationed at the base all year long. This doesn't reflect a lack of RAF commitment to low-level flying."

Preliminary reports which indicate a reduction of RAF permanent personnel from 120 permanent staff down to a number below 50 have not been confirmed by the RAF. The exact number of positions affected won't be confirmed for a number of weeks with the reductions taking place over the next 12 months. The RAF has indicated that not all of the 120 positions are currently filled.

"This is disturbing news," said Minister McLean. "Any downsizing of personnel by our Allies will have a negative impact, both socially and economically, on the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area. I want to assure residents of the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area that the province is committed to working with the Department of National Defence to ensure the long-term economic viability of military training opportunities at 5 Wing."

"While I am pleased some of the permanent jobs will be outsourced to local contractors, creating some temporary jobs during the summer for local residents," Minister McLean added, "I am deeply concerned by this planned reduction." 

Both ministers will monitor the situation closely and will consult with the Department of National Defence and other stakeholders as appropriate. 

"While we are concerned about the negative economic impact this will have on the province, we would like to reiterate that government appreciates the investment families make in Happy Valley-Goose Bay," added Minister Lush. "The province has developed close ties with members of the military and their families who are training and living here in our province, and we will be saddened to lose some of them due to this planned reduction of personnel."

Media contact:

Tansy Mundon, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341.
Bert Pomeroy, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, (709) 729-4814.

2001 11 09                          4:20 p.m.