Minister discusses military training in Labrador

Tom Lush, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today commented on meetings held last week discussing the military presence and NATO flight training in Labrador.

"Last week, I met with Mayor John Hickey, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Mr. David Hunt, President of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce as well as Colonel Glynne Hynes, CFB Goose Bay and the commanding officers of the NATO flight training partners to discuss the military presence in Labrador," said Minister Lush. "My main goal was to engage in an active discussion of future options for provincial and community involvement in supporting the operation of CFB Goose Bay and NATO flight training. We are aware there are challenges facing the base and we are working diligently to ensure they can be met in a pro-active and timely manner."

The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for CFB Goose Bay was established in February 1996. At that time a 10-year MOU was signed by the Governments of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom governing military flight training at CFB Goose Bay. Since that time the Italian Air Force has signed onto the MOU. France, Norway and Belgium have also conducted trial activities at the base.

On average about 5,000 - 7,000 sorties (low level flights) have been conducted annually since 1986. In recent years the Allies have deployed about 50-60 aircraft annually at Goose Bay, and they have trained a total of some 6,000 trainees per year through two-week rotations of about 700 personnel during the April to October period.

"The base contributes significantly to the economy and it is our goal that this contribution be maintained in a manner that benefits the community, the province and the country," said Minister Lush. "It is important that flight training conducted at the base meet current and evolving military needs within an environmentally responsible framework."

In 1999, the base at Goose Bay provided 1,728 person years of employment in the province, of which 1,350 were generated in Labrador, and contributed $90 million to the provincial GDP of this $28.46 million was contributed directly to government revenues.

"These meetings have been very useful to me in preparing for my upcoming meeting with the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of National Defence," said Minister Lush. "During that meeting, I will be seeking a greater degree of cooperation between the federal and provincial governments as well as discussing how we can, in liaison with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, have greater input in the marketing of the base. We must be diligent in our efforts to ensure the continued success of the base in Goose Bay. We have a high quality product to offer our allies around the world and we must be able to maintain our presence and competitiveness in the international military market."

The meeting with Minister McCallum is scheduled for October 7 in Ottawa. During the trip the minister will also meet with David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Jean Augustine, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), Status of Women.

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

2002 09 27                                       10:00 a.m.