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Opposition Leader Roger Grimes says reports in today’s media show that
Premier Danny Williams has no commitment on the long-term future of
Five-Wing Goose Bay. The story in today’s Telegram, which is based on
information received through the federal Access to Information legislation,
demonstrate that the Department of National Defense is no longer interested
in keeping the base open past 2006.
"Over the past several weeks, including during the recent polling period,
the Premier has been promoting his so-called success in ensuring the future
of Five-Wing Goose Bay," said Mr. Grimes. "The Premier toured Europe on the
premise that his trip would ensure that Goose Bay would have a viable
long-term future. Today, we learn that the Department of National Defense is
no longer interested in keeping the base open and it may turn the facility
into another abandoned industrial park. When did the Premier become aware of
this circumstance, and why did he not share this information with the people
of the province?
"The Premier has gone to Europe seeking meetings with international
allies in an effort to secure the future of the base, yet it seems it is our
own Department of National Defense that has no interest in its survival. The
Premier has done nothing to secure a long-term commitment for Goose Bay, and
we now have high ranking officials within the Department of National Defense
who state that the base has no future.
"We have asked the Premier to join with us in getting a commitment on
issues such as Goose Bay during this federal election campaign. The Premier
has dismissed all of our attempts and it now appears he is content to sit
back and do nothing. As a matter of fact, last week the Member for Lake
Melville, John Hickey, stated that he was satisfied with the so-called
"commitment" to Goose Bay from their federal party leader, Stephen Harper.
Upon further review of Mr. Harper’s commitment, there is no mention of
keeping a Canadian military presence in Goose Bay at all. Is government
satisfied with imaginary commitments from people like Stephen Harper, while
the future of Five-Wing Goose Bay becomes less certain?
"The Premier continuously asks the people of the province to trust him,
he says he will get results. Well, the people trusted this Premier during
the election and now have a trail of broken promises. It is unfortunate that
this Premier is not willing to seriously fight for the interests of our
province." |