May 17, 2012
Please see below for a statement from the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
I wish to reaffirm that the defence team is working to fulfill our commitment for an operational mandate for Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay so that the Base, and the community, prospers for years to come. Minister Penashue and I look forward to announcing this operational mandate as soon as work is complete.
Our government is committed to ensuring a clear operational mandate for 5 Wing Goose Bay that takes advantage of its unique location and enhances the protection of Canadian sovereignty, including in the Arctic. CFB Goose Bay has numerous advantages for the Canadian Forces and our allies, including its unique location and the enthusiasm of Happy Valley-Goose Bay residents for a larger military role in their community. Our government has made major investments to ensure that our allies can take advantage of the training potential at CFB Goose Bay. It was our government that invested $20 million in resurfacing the runway at Goose Bay to ensure that the base remains a world-class facility. It was our government investing $300 million to decontaminate sites around the base that will generate important economic opportunities for the community. In recent years, Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay has been a hub for low-level allied flight training and I am pleased to note our German allies have returned to Goose Bay for this training.
Following years of unprecedented operational tempo in which Canadian Forces members provided security to Afghans, protected civilians in Libya, delivered humanitarian assistance in Haiti and served to defend Canada and Canadian interests, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces are now looking to optimize the potential of numerous bases and military installations across this country. CFB Goose Bay is a necessary and integral part of our vision for the Canadian Forces.
The Honourable Peter MacKay
Minister of National Defence
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