Federal and provincial officials to meet regarding Goose Bay Military Training Program

The Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Lush announced today that federal and provincial officials will meet in Ottawa tomorrow to discuss and assess the challenges facing the Goose Bay Military Training Program.

Minister Lush said: "We have been very active in working toward growing the military presence in Newfoundland and Labrador. At the request of the provincial government, the Minister of National Defence established a joint federal/provincial marketing committee. The mandate of the committee is to develop a comprehensive marketing plan aimed at attracting new nations to utilize the facilities at Goose Bay, and to ensure that the training programs available in Goose Bay are relevant to the needs of participating nations.

"It has become quite clear that the nature of the flight training program in Goose Bay is changing because of new technologies. To meet this new reality we must initiate new approaches, and renew our commitment to marketing Goose Bay to foreign nations."

Tomorrow�s meeting will be chaired by Maj.-Gen. Richard Bastien, assistant chief of air staff, and will bring together senior representatives of key federal and provincial departments. Doug Smith, the assistant deputy minister for intergovernmental affairs will head the delegation from this province.

Minister Lush said: "While military training in Goose Bay may look different in the future, I am confident that, working together, we can ensure a bright future for the base, particularly with the commitment of all stakeholders and the community as we find ways to make flight training programs cost-effective and relevant to participants needs. I look forward to reviewing the results of tomorrow�s meetings with my officials."

Media contact: Tom Hann, Communications, (709) 729-1341

2003 05 27                                       3:30 p.m.