Following a briefing and tour of Canadian Forces Station (CFS) St. John�s in Pleasantville, the Honourable John Ottenheimer, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs, said he was pleased with the recently announced transformation of the station and looks forward to the arrival of more military personnel into Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Today I received an informative briefing and tour outlining the operations of CFS St. John�s. I am pleased to see that transformation plans are proceeding and that the station appears to have a solid future in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Ottenheimer. "We have located in our capital city a first-rate military contingent and I was delighted to visit this facility and meet many of the people responsible for its operations."

Since assuming the portfolio of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister Ottenheimer has also toured 5 Wing Goose Bay and 9 Wing Gander. Today, the minister received a briefing on the operations and personnel of CFS St. John�s, including the recently announced infrastructure revision plans, and also received a tour of the facility.

"I would like to thank Commanding Officer Darren Garnier and his staff for the tour provided me today," stated Minister Ottenheimer. "CFS St. John�s has both a strategic and historic place in our community and I am proud that this association continues."

"The proposed expansion of the facility suggests the federal government is committed to delivering on its campaign promise of 2006 to provide more personnel to CFS St. John�s," continued Minister Ottenheimer. "However, after touring this facility I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to remind Minister Gordon O�Connor of this commitment, along with the commitment to establish an operational requirement for 5 Wing Goose Bay. I have had an extremely positive working relationship with Minister O�Connor and I look forward to discussing with him the information I have gained during my tour of our province�s major military facilities and the role they play in Canada�s military operations."

During the 2006 federal election campaign, the current prime minister committed in writing to establish a new Territorial Defence Battalion consisting of approximately 100 regular force personnel and 400 reserve personnel at CFS St. John�s along with a new Rapid Reaction Army Battalion of 650 regular force personnel and a new long range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron at CFB Goose Bay. Minister Ottenheimer said the Provincial Government awaits fulfillment of these commitments and the benefits they will bring to the communities.

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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat
(709) 729-6026, 690-0525
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 08                                                   12:30 p.m.