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Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
Executive Council
March 3, 2008

Minister Calls on Federal Government to Stop Stalling on Commitments to 5 Wing Goose Bay

The Federal Government must live up to its commitments to 5 Wing Goose Bay, says the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. Minister Hickey was responding to comments by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. On Friday, Minister MacKay said the Federal Government would not be conducting any immediate expansion to 5 Wing Goose Bay. The minister stated that the Canadian military presence in Afghanistan remains the Federal Government�s priority.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has unwavering support for our troops serving overseas. However, it is unreasonable to connect support for troops in Afghanistan to promises concerning 5 Wing Goose Bay," said Minister Hickey. "While we recognize and strongly support the commitment by the Federal Government to the forces serving in Afghanistan, we remind Minister MacKay the importance of the role of 5 Wing Goose Bay in our Canadian Armed Forces."

The Federal Government has made commitments to the people of Labrador to expand the operations at 5 Wing Goose Bay, including a 650-manned rapid reaction army battalion, and a new long-range unstaffed aerial vehicle squadron with 100 support personnel.

"I believe the Federal Government should be reminded that while being committed to Afghanistan, they were still able to announce expansions to other military facilities across Canada," said Minister Hickey. "5 Wing has world-class facilities. It is strategically located and will assist in the protection of our northern sovereignty. The Federal Government should see this potential and commit to their promise, as they have done so for other bases across our country."

In 2007, the Federal Government announced several expansions to bases across the country including a new air expeditionary wing at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, consisting of up to 550 personnel, along with associated investments of up to $300 million. As well, on July 12, the Federal Government announced a $121 million investment at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. Commitments to these initiatives were made by the Federal Conservative Party during the 2006 federal election campaign.

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, also called on Minister MacKay to fulfill the Government of Canada�s commitment to 5 Wing Goose Bay.

"I have met with Minister MacKay in Ottawa on this issue and have been told that the commitment still stands. At this point this province needs actions more than words on these commitments to 5 Wing Goose Bay," said Minister Hedderson. "Without a plan released or a visit to the site by the Federal Government, it does not give me much confidence that this commitment is going to be fulfilled in the near future. Federal presence in Newfoundland and Labrador is an issue our government is committed to fighting for so this province can get the kind of funding other provinces have received."

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Media contacts:

John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Lesley Clarke
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-6026, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

2008 03 03                                                         4:40 p.m.


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