Kevin Deveaux  MLA Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage    

THE BEACON – MARCH, 2006

As we start a new era in politics this month, it is important to reflect upon what might be a good time to invest not only in the Canadian military but in 12 Wing Shearwater.

The Liberals spent years refusing to invest in our Armed Forces and, as a result, our troops had to do their job with obsolete equipment. The Tories have always had a reputation as a Party that supports our troops – at least in the purchase of proper equipment. I hope that this government can continue the recent work of the Martin Liberals to purchase new ships and helicopters for our Navy.

12 Wing Shearwater has a long and illustrious history of naval air support – from the first sea planes of Lt. Byrd to the HMCS Bonaventure to the current maritime helicopter fleet, Shearwater has always been an integral part of Canada’s coastal defense system.

There is now an opportunity to expand Shearwater further. The Liberals had announced a new rapid deployment force of 800 personnel that can be shipped out in a matter of days to any “hot spot” (natural disaster, conflict, etc.). Shearwater has ocean, land and air access capability. The military has recognized these natural benefits to Shearwater and has suggested in the last year that the base is the best location for the rapid deployment force.

The shut down of the main runway a few years ago was a concern and still is. The Tories must make the investment to recommission the runway to ensure there is a suitable landing space for the large or medium size transport aircraft.

The Federal Tories have suggested that such a force should be based in Quebec (Bagotville, to be exact). But this makes no sense. Shearwater has the jetty, the rail line and, with a few improvements, the runway once again.

For too many years we have seen the Liberals play politics with our Armed Forces (who can forget the decision to cancel the EH-101 contract that cost the government over $500 million in 1993). We need to make military decisions based on sound military analysis and not politics. I hope the Tories have learned from the Liberal mistakes and work with the people of Eastern Passage to ensure Shearwater is the future home of the new rapid deployment force.

THE OBSERVER – JANUARY, 2006

I recently had an opportunity to attend the funeral of Private Braun Woodfield of the 2nd Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR) based out of CFB Gagetown. His death in the line of duty in Afghanistan has focused attention on our role in that country. I, for one, support the role of our troops in Afghanistan and I think it is important that Canadians understand how valuable the role of our military is in central Asia.

Private Woodfield was from Cow Bay. He wanted to join the military because he wanted to contribute and make the world a better place. He comes from a family where military service was common and well respected. He had only been in the Army for two and one-half years, having joined in April of 2003. But he had already been deployed to Haiti as part of Operation HALO.

His death on November 24, 2005 was hard to accept, not only for his family, but for his extended military family and his fiends and community. But there are risks to peacekeeping and peacemaking in the world – from Kosovo to East Timor to Afghanistan. Our troops understand the risks involved and are willing to represent their country with pride to ensure our interests and freedoms are preserved.

We have undervalued our military for too many years in Canada. I have seen the impact our troops can have when we give them the equipment and support they need to be part of an action that ensures a safer world. I have worked in Kosovo a number of times and I have heard first hand how the people of that country have such respect for our troops as they helped liberate the country.

If we believe that our political system is a shining example to the world, we must be prepared to invest in a military that is able to secure the peace anywhere in the world as a first step towards promoting a more democratic world.

If we believe we are a civilized, pluralistic society that promotes multiculturalism, we need to ensure our troops are capable of peacekeeping where required as a means of promoting such values around the world.

Our troops are not just soldiers when they are deployed to Bosnia or Afghanistan. They are social workers, police officers and diplomats for our country. They are the first Canadian faces many in the world meet. They must have the training, support and equipment to be effective peacekeepers and peacemakers. We owe that to them and we owe that to the world. If we have a system that is worth promoting we have an obligation to do what we can to promote that system.

Afghanistan is our current destination. In the past it was Europe, the Suez Canal, Cyprus and the Balkans. In the future there will be new conflicts in countries and regions most of us will not have heard of. But our military men and women will continue to represent us with pride. We must do our part at home to ensure they have what it takes to do the dangerous work they do and to represent our country with distinction.