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The Conservatives also pledged to create a new territorial defencebattalion of about 100 regular force and 400 reserve forcepersonnel in St. John s. Overall, the Conservative plan for national defence will resultin a significant increase in employment in Goose Bay and the St.John s area, resulting from a significant expansion of the federaldefence presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, Harper, Oppositionleader at the time, wrote in a Jan. 4, 2006, letter to then PremierDanny Williams. Earlier this year, Nova Scotia Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner put aquestion on the order paper in the House of Commons asking aboutthe status of previous military commitments as they relate toOttawa s so-called Canada First Defence Strategy. The government is required to answer such questions. MacKay did so, in writing, last month. He confirmed there arecurrently no plans to establish a 650-member battalion at 5 Wing. As for the unmanned aerial vehicle squadron in Goose Bay, there isnothing 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, unmannedvehicles and satellites that will keep Canada s maritimeapproaches safe and secure, including in the Arctic, MacKay sresponse notes. Defence Minister Peter MacKay replied in writing last month toquestions tabled by Nova Scotia Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner. (CBC) That system, tagged with the acronym JUSTAS, is currently beingconsidered for the Canadian Forces. The JUSTAS project iscurrently in the Options Analysis Phase. And the 100-member territorial defence unit in St. John s is alsonot part of the military s current plans, according to MacKay sresponse. Territorial battalion groups will be stationed in 10 cities, theminister wrote, from Vancouver to Halifax. MacKay notes in his response that the Canada First Defence Strategyprovides a long-term road map to rebuild the military. This response addresses every element mentioned in the questionand each sub-question. Contrasting answers MacKay s written responses to Parliament last month contrast withprevious comments he has made on those promised investments inGoose Bay. CFB 5 Wing Goose Bay In 2008, MacKay said Ottawa remained committed to adding a battalion to the base in Labrador. He indicated that the war in Afghanistan was his department s topspending priority, but the Goose Bay expansion remained in DND splans. In 2009, in announcing a $300-million cleanup for the Labradorbase, MacKay cited the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan for the delay in implementing the previous election pledges. Buthe said the Conservatives would look at the promise again in 2012. MacKay again travelled to Goose Bay in September 2011 tore-announce that cleanup money, but sidestepped questions on what was holding things up as the curtain was dropping on combat operations in Afghanistan. It's a very busy time of high-tempo of operations, MacKay saidat the time. It's a summer that's seen floods and fires, we'veseen a number of very important international gatherings, includingOlympic Games and G20 and G8 gatherings over the last number ofyears. 'Our promise on 5 Wing Goose remains our commitment and we remaincommitted to the Canadian Armed Forces across this country.' Prime Minister Stephen Harper in April 2011 Earlier last year, Harper told reporters at a Conception Bay South election stop that his government s commitment to Goose Bay remains strong. "Our promise on 5 Wing Goose remains our commitment and we remaincommitted to the Canadian Armed Forces across this country," Harpersaid. But in a letter to Premier Kathy Dunderdale written just days later , Harper made no mention of his previous promises to bolster trooplevels and add unmanned aerial vehicles to Goose Bay. The prime minister pledged instead to make solid progress onthe future of operations in Labrador. In an emailed statement, Newfoundland and Labrador s rep in theHarper cabinet said the feds believe more than ever in thestrategic importance of 5 Wing Goose Bay and are committed togrowing the base. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue cited thehundreds of millions in cleanup cash and $20 million to resurfacethe runway at 5 Wing. But Penashue, who represents Labrador, did not directly address the2006 promises. I continue to work with my cabinet colleague, minister MacKay,towards growing the base as the Canadian Forces' operational tempopermits, Penashue noted. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Powder Coating Gun Parts Manufacturer , Powder Coating Test Equipment Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Powder Coating Line.
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