News release

Letters Regarding CFB Greenwood

10 September 1999 | 4:43 PM

Premier's Office

Following is the text of letters Premier John Hamm recently wrote to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton regarding Canadian Forces Base Greenwood.

September 9, 1999

Right Honourable Jean Chretien, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada Room 309-S, Centre Block House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister:

I am writing with respect to the Air Force decision, based on budgetary pressure from the Government of Canada, to phase out the 434 squadron at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood over the next two years.

I would strongly urge the Government of Canada to reconsider this action. The reported 225 jobs in question directly contribute at least $19 million to the local economy, as well as tens of millions of dollars more in spinoff benefits.

As the all-party House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs (SCONDVA) stated in its third report, Moving Forward -- A Strategic Plan for Quality of Life Improvements in the Canadian Forces (tabled October 28, 1998):

"All Canadians have had to cope with program cuts and the vagaries of economic adjustment ... however ... we firmly believe that our service men and women have borne more than their fair share of the burden."

Indeed, I am certain you are aware that since 1994, Nova Scotia has received 16 per cent of the reduction in overall federal spending, despite our province's three per cent share of the country's population.

Should your government proceed with this decision under the auspices of the Department of National Defence's Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) program, I would nonetheless request that your government honour the commitment made on March 25, 1999, in its response to the SCONDVA's recommendations pertaining to ASD.

As you know, the government response to these recommendations was as follows:

"The Department is committed to communicating and consulting when ASD is being considered. It will provide resources to assist employees to prepare in-house bids, and provide employment opportunities to affected employees through redeployment, retraining, employment offers with the new ASD venture or departure or retirement incentives."

Moreover, the overriding goal must be the continuation of employment opportunities and economic benefits in the communities surrounding CFB Greenwood. A community-based committee is being formed on this matter. I respectfully request you direct the Minister of National Defence be in contact with this organization as soon as possible to discuss this pressing issue.

I look forward to discussing this further with you during the upcoming Team Canada mission to Japan.

Yours truly, John F. Hamm

Enclosure

cc: Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Defence

Honourable Alasdair Graham, P.C.
Leader of the Government in the Senate

Mr. Scott Brison, M.P.
Kings-Hants

Mr. Jon Carey, MLA
Kings West

Mr. Frank Chipman, MLA
Annapolis

---------------------------------------------------------------September 9, 1999

Honourable Art Eggleton, P.C., M.P. Minister of National Defence Room 365, West Block House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister:

I am writing with respect to the decision by the Department of National Defence to phase out the 434 squadron at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood over the next two years.

As you can see from the enclosed letter, I have written to you and the Prime Minister to strongly urge a reconsideration of this action. Irrespective of the Government of Canada's final decision to this regard, it is imperative that DND work with the community to ensure the continuation of the 225 jobs in question, as they directly contribute $19 million to the local economy, as well as tens of millions more in spinoff benefits.

Should this decision stand under the auspices of the Department of National Defence's Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) program, I would request that DND honour the commitment made on March 25, 1999, in its response to the SCONDVA's recommendations pertaining to ASD.

As you know, the response was as follows:

I must also reiterate that employment opportunities and economic benefits must remain in the communities surrounding CFB Greenwood. A community-based committee is being formed on this matter. I respectfully request that you, as Minister of National Defence, be in contact with this organization as soon as possible to discuss this pressing issue.