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NLIS 6 January 19, 2004 (Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs) Prime Minister, Defence Minister, meet Goose Bay Delegation A delegation from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, hosted by Labrador MP Lawrence O'Brien, met this afternoon in Ottawa with Prime Minister Paul Martin, and Minister of National Defence David Pratt, to lay out a strong business case for growth and enhancement of military training at 5 Wing Goose Bay. "Paul Martin and David Pratt have demonstrated their commitment to renewing and strengthening Canada's armed forces," Mr. O'Brien said. "Coming out of this meeting, I am more confident than ever that 5 Wing Goose Bay has an important role to play in Canada's defence and foreign policy, now and in the years to come. It is remarkable that the Prime Minister was willing to entertain the concerns and the suggestions of this coalition, on relatively short notice, and he certainly appreciated hearing the messages we brought to the table." In addition to Labrador MP Lawrence O'Brien, Senator Bill Rompkey, and regional minister John Efford, the delegation included John Hickey Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labrador Affairs and MHA for Lake Melville, and representatives of the Goose Bay Citizens' Coalition. The coalition was represented by its chair, Perry Trimper, Bob Warr (Labrador North Chamber of Commerce), Randy Ford and Peter Chayter (Union of National Defence Employees), Mayor Leo Abbass and Director of Economic Development Dennis Peck (Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay), Peter Woodward (representing the business sector), and Todd Russell (Labrador M�tis Nation). "I was pleased to see that the Government of Canada, at the highest levels, is open to cooperation with the provincial government and the local community," said John Hickey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labrador Affairs. "Premier Danny Williams and our provincial administration are committed to doing everything within provincial jurisdiction to develop new defence and other opportunities for Goose Bay, and we look forward to playing our part." Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass noted that "the Prime Minister and Defence Minister understand the importance and the potential of 5 Wing Goose Bay as part of a vigorous national defence and foreign policy. We emphasized that our base is a net contributor to the Canadian economy, and I think that message was well-received." "We feel that the cloud has certainly started lifting," Union of National Defence Employees (UNDE) Local President Randy Ford said. "We have a long way to go to ensure renewed growth in the important military industry at Goose Bay, but we have started that road, and our employees are committed to their role in that process." Goose Bay Citizens' Coalition Chair Perry Trimper commented that "Prime Minister Martin and Minister Pratt were well-informed on this issue. The Prime Minster committed his government to the viability of the base into the future, and we look forward to participating in the marketing and development effort over the months and years to come." "Aboriginal people of Labrador were there and helped build the base and the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay," said Labrador M�tis Nation President Todd Russell. "It is part of our economic well-being, and our membership will be at the table to ensure that this industry continues in an environmentally-sound manner, but also in a way that generates the maximum economic benefit for all the peoples who call Labrador home." Media contact:
2004 01 19 6:15 p.m.
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