The federal government will spend $300 million for environmental clean-up at 5 Wing Goose Bay. The clean-up project will end in 2020.
The clean-up is being touted as an economic boost to the town in addition to the obvious environmental value.
"This significant investment benefits the Wing, contributes to the economic foundation of the community and mitigates risk to human health and the environment," MacKay, who visited the base Sunday, said in a news release.
Liberal member of parliament Todd Russell sees the clean-up as a prelude to shutting the military base. Russell is quoted by the Ottawa Citizen’s David Pugliese:
"When governments clean up they're looking to clear out," he said.
The defence minister’s spokesman, Dan Dugas, denies the claim according to Pugliese:
Dugas said Goose Bay continues to play an important role in the Canadian Forces operations. "We believe in the base," he added.
Dugas noted that around $100 million a year is spent annually operating the base. In addition, $20 million was recently spent on improving runways there.
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