Minister meets with new wing commander of 5 Wing Goose Bay

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush met yesterday with Colonel Glynne Hines, who was appointed the new Commander of 5 Wing Goose Bay on July 19.

"There were a number of issues on the agenda for my first meeting with Colonel Hines," said Minister Lush. "First and foremost, I wanted to convey the province�s condolences for the tragic loss and injury of air force personnel in the recent helicopter crash in Labrador. Military personnel stationed in the province are respected members of our communities, and we are proud of the important contributions they make to the safety and security of this country."

During the meeting, the minister and Colonel Hines also discussed:

• the preparatory work and planning regarding the renewal of the current Memorandum of Understanding with the Allies which expires in 2006;
• the continued development of new environmentally-sanctioned training opportunities at 5 Wing Goose Bay;
• the recent transfer of 2,000 square kilometres of Crown land in Labrador from the province to the Department of National Defence for a safety zone around the existing practice target area; and
• the July 2002 report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance concerning the service contract at the base.

"In all these matters, we indicated that the province is ready to assist the Department of National Defence in enhancing the future viability of 5 Wing Goose Bay," said Minister Lush. "The allied presence in Goose Bay is an important generator of economic activity in Labrador and in the province - one that we cannot afford to lose. Military training at 5 Wing Goose Bay contributes an estimated $90 million to the province�s GDP annually. With such an impact, we must ensure that training at Goose Bay remains attractive militarily, and is cost competitive in the military marketplace."

In order to improve the quality of training opportunities available at 5 Wing Goose Bay, the provincial government recently transferred administration and control of approximately 2,000 square kilometres of provincial Crown land in Southern Labrador to the Department of National Defence. This land will be used as a buffer zone around the current 170 square kilometre practice target area so that enhanced laser guided practice bombs can be used safely by foreign militaries training in Labrador.

"By providing this land to DND, our foreign allies will be able to launch practice weapons from higher altitudes and from greater distances from the current target area," said Minister Lush. "This addition is a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of training opportunities available at the military base in Goose Bay."

During the meeting, Minister Lush also indicated that the province supports the recent report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance. In it�s report, the Senate Committee concluded that the current approach to the management of the Goose Bay air base does not achieve the best returns possible for Canada, the province and the community.

"The Department of National Defence must work with the province and key stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the Senate Committee," said Minister Lush. "During my meeting with Colonel Hines, I made it quite clear that, as a government, we will continue to urge DND to act on the Standing Senate Committee�s recommendations and work with him and DND to help ensure that the military presence is maintained in Labrador."

Media contact: Janice Lockyer, Communications, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341.

2002 08 01                               3:45 p.m.