NLIS 3
February 3, 2005
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
Minister emphasizes significance
of 5-Wing Goose Bay to Senate committee
The Government of Canada must help ensure that
the 5-Wing Goose Bay military base is well-positioned to remain a significant
international training venue.
This was the message delivered by Trevor Taylor, Minister Responsible for
Labrador Affairs, today in St. John’s in an address to the Senate Standing
Committee on National Security and Defence.
“My presentation to the committee provided its members with an overview of the
military in our province and associated issues,” said the minister. “In
particular, I conveyed the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s concern
about the future viability of foreign military training at 5-Wing Goose Bay.”
Key recommendations made by Minister Taylor included that the Department of
National Defence (DND) continue to build partnerships with the province’s
education institutions, such as the Marine Institute. The minister also
recommended that the 103 Search and Rescue Squadron at 9-Wing remain stationed
in Gander. However, the focus of his recommendations centred on the future of
5-Wing Goose Bay.
“I pointed out some of 5-Wing Goose Bay’s many competitive advantages. There is
unrivaled air space. There is vastly different terrain. The base is much closer
to Europe than other bases in North America,” said the minister. “But, the fact
is that there are currently no training plans for 5-Wing when the 2005 season
ends. What training will take place as of April 2006? What will happen to the
people whose livelihood depends on the 5-Wing training program? The Government
of Canada must recognize that 5-Wing can be better used to meet its own
international defence and security needs.
“I made four key recommendations regarding 5-Wing Goose Bay. First, that the
Department of National Defence receive sufficient funds to grow the foreign
military flight training program. Second, that DND begin more training at 5-Wing
to meet the changing needs of Canadian and international forces. Third, that DND
engage in a focused marketing initiative for the base. And fourth, that the
Canadian Forces, where appropriate, conduct training activities with training
partners at 5-Wing,” said the minister. “The committee members listened, were
supportive and indicated that they would pass along this information to their
colleagues in Ottawa.”
John Hickey, MHA for Lake Melville, and Leo Abbass, Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose
Bay, were also present to answer the committee’s questions. “I conveyed, in no
uncertain terms, that it is critically important for the Government of Canada to
commit to a positive future for 5-Wing Goose Bay,” said MHA Hickey. “Let there
be no doubt, Labrador is looking to the federal government to make a firm
commitment to a continued strong military presence in our area.”
Media contact:
Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-3733 or (709) 690-6047
John Hickey, MHA Lake Melville, (709) 896-3099
2005 02 03
3:10 p.m. |
