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.