NR - 05.090 - November 16, 2005
FREDERICTON -- Minister of National Defence Bill Graham today named Dr. Dennis Furlong as the new coordinator for the fact-finding and outreach initiative examining the use of herbicides at CFB Gagetown from 1952 to present. Dr. Furlong will replace Vaughn Blaney, who stepped down as coordinator in September for health reasons.
"I have every confidence in Dennis Furlong's ability to head this important initiative," said Minister Graham. "Dr. Furlong's background as a medical doctor and former provincial Minister of Health will certainly be an asset to the work to be conducted over the course of this endeavour."
On August 16, 2005, the Government of Canada announced its approach regarding the use of herbicides at CFB Gagetown. The approach involves three fact-finding tasks and a major outreach initiative headed by the Fact-finding and Outreach Coordinator.
" Dr. Dennis Furlong is a highly regarded New Brunswicker and brings very strong qualifications to the post ," said Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Fredericton. "I am pleased that Dennis has accepted to carry on the tremendous work that was begun by Vaughn Blaney and Ron Murray, as his experience will provide a significant benefit to the community."
The Fact-finding and Outreach Coordinator will be involved at all stages of the work being conducted by federal government and contracted non-governmental experts. In this role, Dr. Furlong will be the principal conduit of information between those with concerns about herbicide use at CFB Gagetown and the Government of Canada. Dr. Furlong will work with the federal government to gather the facts on herbicide use at the base and will also hear the concerns of the community, ensure those concerns are communicated to the federal government, and inform the community about the work being conducted, including the results of the fact-finding tasks.
In addition, Dr. Furlong will co-chair with Karen Ellis, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Environment for National Defence, the advisory panels overseeing the scientific and historical research in progress. The advisory panels, in conjunction with the federal government's Interdepartmental Steering Committee on Herbicide Use at CFB Gagetown, have the ability to influence the fact-finding tasks. The co-chairs will select the members of these advisory panels, ensuring an appropriate balance of professional ethics advice, as well as scientific and community - including Aboriginal - representation.
Ron Murray will continue in his role as deputy coordinator in the Fact-finding and Outreach office.
The Government of Canada has made significant progress in the scientific and historical research portion of the project. The government has engaged contractors to conduct soil, water and vegetation sampling and to search for buried barrels on the base at Gagetown. It has also developed comprehensive statements of work for all three tasks announced on August 16, in consultation with the Fact-finding and Outreach office in Gagetown. It is expected that independent contractors will be hired and ready to begin work on Tasks 1 and 2 by January 2006.
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For further information, please contact the Fact-finding and Outreach office at (506) 357-8200, or go to www.forces.gc.ca .
