MacKay hints Labrador base promises might not be kept

Defence Minister Peter MacKay's recent written response to questions tabled in Parliament reveal that 2006 federal Conservative promises for 5 Wing Goose Bay are no longer part of the militarys plans.

Prior to the election that brought the Tories to power, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to station a new, 650-member rapid reaction army battalion at CFB Goose Bay, plus a new long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) squadron at the base.

The Conservatives also pledged to create a new territorial defence battalion of about 100 regular force and 400 reserve force personnel in St. Johns.

"Overall, the Conservative plan for national defence will result in a significant increase in employment in Goose Bay and the St. Johns area, resulting from a significant expansion of the federal defence presence in Newfoundland and Labrador," Harper, Opposition leader at the time, wrote in a Jan. 4, 2006, letter to then Premier Danny Williams.

Earlier this year, Nova Scotia Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner put a question on the order paper in the House of Commons asking about the status of previous military commitments as they relate to Ottawas so-called Canada First Defence Strategy.

The government is required to answer such questions.

MacKay did so, in writing, last month. He confirmed "there are currently no plans" to establish a 650-member battalion at 5 Wing.

As for the unmanned aerial vehicle squadron in Goose Bay, there is nothing firm on the horizon for that either.

"As part of the [defence strategy], there will be a surveillance system of systems that will be comprised of sensors, unmanned vehicles and satellites that will keep Canadas maritime approaches safe and secure, including in the Arctic," MacKays response notes.

That system, tagged with the acronym JUSTAS, is "currently being considered" for the Canadian Forces. "The JUSTAS project is currently in the Options Analysis Phase."

And the 100-member territorial defence unit in St. Johns is also not part of the militarys current plans, according to MacKays response.

Territorial battalion groups will be stationed in 10 cities, the minister wrote, from Vancouver to Halifax.

MacKay notes in his response that the Canada First Defence Strategy provides a "long-term road map" to rebuild the military.

"This response addresses every element mentioned in the question and each sub-question."

Contrasting answers

MacKays written responses to Parliament last month contrast with previous comments he has made on those promised investments in Goose Bay.

In 2008, MacKay saidOttawa remained committed to adding a battalionto the base in Labrador.

He indicated that the war in Afghanistan was his departments top spending priority, but the Goose Bay expansion remained in DNDs plans.

In 2009, in announcing a $300-million cleanup for the Labrador base, MacKaycited the ongoing conflict in Afghanistanfor the delay in implementing the previous election pledges. But he said the Conservatives would look at the promise again in 2012.

MacKay again travelled to Goose Bay in September 2011 to re-announce that cleanup money, butsidestepped questions on what was holding things upas the curtain was dropping on combat operations in Afghanistan.

"It's a very busy time of high-tempo of operations," MacKay said at the time. "It's a summer that's seen floods and fires, we've seen a number of very important international gatherings, including Olympic Games and G20 and G8 gatherings over the last number of years."

'Our promise on 5 Wing Goose remains our commitment and we remain committed to the Canadian Armed Forces across this country.' Prime Minister Stephen Harper in April 2011

Earlier last year, Harpertold reporters at a Conception Bay South election stopthat his governments commitment to Goose Bay remains strong.

"Our promise on 5 Wing Goose remains our commitment and we remain committed to the Canadian Armed Forces across this country," Harper said.

But in aletter to Premier Kathy Dunderdale written just days later, Harper made no mention of his previous promises to bolster troop levels and add unmanned aerial vehicles to Goose Bay.

The prime minister pledged instead to "make solid progress" on the future of operations in Labrador.

In an emailed statement, Newfoundland and Labradors rep in the Harper cabinet said the feds "believe more than ever in the strategic importance of 5 Wing Goose Bay and are committed to growing the base."

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue cited the hundreds of millions in cleanup cash and $20 million to resurface the runway at 5 Wing.

But Penashue, who represents Labrador, did not directly address the 2006 promises.

"I continue to work with my cabinet colleague, minister MacKay, towards growing the base as the Canadian Forces' operational tempo permits," Penashue noted.