Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
Executive Council
April 24, 2015

Standing Strong for Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Continues to Advocate for 5 Wing Goose Bay

The Provincial Government is continuing to apply pressure to the Federal Government on commitments relating to 5 Wing Goose Bay and especially the stationing of unstaffed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones at the base.

“5 Wing Goose Bay is important to the defence of North America and as a centre for military drone activity. Given its access to vast air space and northern remote geography, 5 Wing has great potential to serve as a centre for UAV and drone testing. Our government has asked for a clear mandate for 5 Wing Goose Bay from the Federal Government to ensure its future is protected and we will continue to press for this.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs

Recently, letters have been written to the Honourable Peter Kent, M.P., Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, to profile the importance of 5 Wing to the defence of North America and to reiterate its suitability as a centre for military drone activity. In addition, a letter has been sent to the newly appointed Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jason Kenney, on matters relating to 5 Wing.

Both letters have been posted online as follows:

“As has been demonstrated through recent exercises at the base, 5 Wing has significant capacity to support training activity for Canadian Forces and allied militaries, and with further investment could do more to support coastal monitoring and search and rescue, as well as strengthen Canada’s sovereignty in the North. In considering these opportunities the Provincial Government will continue to consult with Aboriginal organizations, as appropriate, and review the sustainability of such activities.”
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

Exercises at 5 Wing Goose Bay, such as Exercise Northern Sojourn, SAREX 2014 in September, NORAD’s Exercise Vigilant Shield in October and Northern Sapper in 2015 illustrate that the Canadian Armed Forces and its allies continue to utilize the base and it can continue to play an important role in support of the military.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains confident there is a promising future for military activity at 5 Wing so long as federal promises to pursue enhancements to this installation are acted upon.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government is continuing to apply pressure to the Federal Government on commitments relating to 5 Wing Goose Bay.
  • Recently, letters have been written to the Honourable Peter Kent, M.P., Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, and the newly appointed Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Jason Kenney, on matters relating to 5 Wing.
  • The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador remains confident there is a promising future for military activity at 5 Wing so long as federal promises to pursue enhancements to this installation are acted upon.

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Media contacts:

Kevin Guest
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-1983, 730-2320
kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director of Communications
Labrador and Aborginal Affairs
709-729-1495, 682-6593
vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca

2015 04 24                             11:45 a.m.