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Conservatives to boost military in Atlantic Canada

January 15, 2006

New ships, personnel for navy in Halifax, soldiers at Goose Bay and Gagetown, planes and crew at Greenwood

HALIFAX – Conservative Deputy Leader Peter MacKay and National Defence Critic Gordon O’Connor today announced major defence increases for the Atlantic provinces as part of the Conservative “Canada First” defence strategy.

“Atlantic Canadians have historically contributed more than their fair share to all branches of our armed forces,” said MacKay. “Atlantic Canada has stood up for Canada’s sovereignty, and it is time to have a government in Ottawa that will stand up for our forces here in Atlantic Canada.”

“The Navy fleet in Nova Scotia is short of resources and personnel. Newfoundland and Labrador lack a regular Army presence. The Army units at Gagetown in New Brunswick need strengthening, as do Air Force units throughout the region,” MacKay said.

Under the “Canada First” plan, a Conservative government will:

 

Improve the Atlantic Fleet by purchasing two new replenishment ships, a new transport ship, and frigate and submarine upgrades. A program to replace the existing frigates and destroyers will also be initiated.

Increase naval personnel in Nova Scotia by 1,000 regular forces to meet new Atlantic fleet crew requirements and to bring existing establishments up to full strength at CFB Halifax.

Increase army personnel in New Brunswick by recruiting, training, and equipping 500 new regular forces for CFB Gagetown and improve base infrastructure.

Establish a regular army presence in Newfoundland and Labrador by stationing a new 650 regular force rapid reaction army battalion at CFB Goose Bay for Atlantic Canada requirements.

Enhance air force capability in Atlantic Canada by stationing a new long range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) squadron, with approximately100 regular force personnel, at CFB Goose Bay. Add new fixed wing search and rescue and transport aircraft, upgrades to the current Aurora aircraft, and 250 additional regular and reserve force personnel at CFB Greenwood.

Provide new territorial defence battalions with 100 regular and at least 400 reserve force personnel for emergency response to be stationed in St John’s, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and St John, New Brunswick.

“With all of our troop commitments, we will increase the number of regular forces by 13,000, bringing the Canadian Forces to a total regular troop strength of about 75,000. We will also be increasing Canada’s reserves by 10,000,” O’Connor said

“It is these territorial defence batallions, intended to be the first line of response to any disaster, that the Liberals attacked in their recent ad. The Canadian Forces deserve a government that is committed to enhancing our military presence in Atlantic Canada, and that is what our “Canada First” defence plan will do” concluded O’Connor.

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