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MacKenzie Calls on Premier to Protect Shearwater Military Plan |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Monday, 16 January 2006 |
NS Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie is concerned that a federal Conservative government will jeopardize a plan to base a rapid deployment unit in Shearwater.
Last September Rear Admiral Dan McNeil told the Halifax Chamber of Commerce that a special contingency force will be staged at a revitalized Shearwater airbase. The force which will be based on a naval task group will be amphibious in nature and have the ability to send 800 troops anywhere in the world on only 10 days notice.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has promised a similar rapid response unit for CFB Bagotville Quebec, and another in Goosebay. Last week Harper released his full platform, but there no was mention of a rapid response unit for Shearwater.
"Rear Admiral McNeil has been quoted saying Halifax already has the nucleus of what's required: a deep-water port with land, air and maritime forces," said MacKenzie. "Premier Hamm should be asking the candidate he has endorsed for Prime Minister, exactly why he left Shearwater out of his plan."
MacKenzie is calling on Premier John Hamm to ask his federal Conservative counterpart why he is campaigning on an issue that will pull a military opportunity away from Nova Scotia. |
