N.L. veterans join CFB Gagetown lawsuit

A former brigadier-generalconvinced the cancer that ended his military career was caused by chemicals atCFB Gagetown, N.B., has joined a class-action lawsuit filed against the Department of National Defence.

Ed Ring is one of dozens of people in Newfoundland and Labrador who have joined the lawsuit, claiming the federal government exposed them to dangerous toxins while they worked at the base. The military has said herbicides including Agent Orange were used on the base.

The class-action lawsuit was certified by the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court Aug. 1.

In court documents obtained by the CBC, the Department of National Defence questions the link between herbicides and the illnesses people suffered after they lived at CFB Gagetown.

Ring remains convinced his illness was caused by his exposure to chemicals there. He served in the Canadian military for more than three decades, completing much of his career, including his officer's training, at CFB Gagetown.

Ring rose to the rank of brigadier-general beforehe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"It's had a devastating affect for a number of years," Ring said. "I didn't know if I was going to live or die."

He underwent rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant to fight the disease, but was unable to return to work. He believes his illness cost him his career.

"I was deputy commander of land forces, and the guy who replaced me went on to become the Atlantic-area commander," Ring said.

Ring applied to Veteran's Affairs for a disability pension, but he was denied.

"A flat-out no," he said. "It made me angry, to not take responsibility for what they've done.

"To be honest, I'm still mad about it."

Ring said he hopes his story will help win compensation for the almost 2,000 veterans who've also joined the lawsuit claiming the group was harmed by exposure to Agent Orange and other defoliants used on the base between the mid-1950s and mid-1980s.