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Defence Minister MacKay confirms interest in buying land near N.S. air base
Published: Friday, March 28, 2008 | 4:48 PM ET
Canadian Press: THE CANADIAN PRESS
HALIFAX - Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Friday that his department is interested in buying back a large tract of land it sold six years ago near Nova Scotia's 12 Wing Shearwater.
A group of retired military officers have been lobbying Ottawa not to sell the land, which includes a long runway.
During a stop in Halifax, MacKay said it was his belief that Shearwater has "tremendous strategic value" because of its unique location and history.
The Defence Department sold 365 hectares of the former Canadian Forces base to the arm's-length, self-financing body Canada Lands in 2002.
Local civic officials have spent a year planning for the future development of the property.
"That runway in particular is something I think is a valuable asset that should be preserved," said MacKay.
The minister said he hoped to make progress in talks "very soon."
"There's obvious hurdles yet to overcome with respect to how we purchase it back and Treasury Board approval, but I'm working on it," he said.
MacKay said the use of the entire base for helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft is something "we need to take maximum advantage of."
Advocates of expanding the military's use of the site have argued that it would be ideal for the proposed standing contingency task force.
The force, which has been put on hold until after the 2010 Olympics, would use an amphibious ship to transport Canadian troops and equipment to world hot spots
Defence Minister MacKay confirms interest in buying land near N.S. air base
Published: Friday, March 28, 2008 | 4:48 PM ET
Canadian Press: THE CANADIAN PRESS
HALIFAX - Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Friday that his department is interested in buying back a large tract of land it sold six years ago near Nova Scotia's 12 Wing Shearwater.
A group of retired military officers have been lobbying Ottawa not to sell the land, which includes a long runway.
During a stop in Halifax, MacKay said it was his belief that Shearwater has "tremendous strategic value" because of its unique location and history.
The Defence Department sold 365 hectares of the former Canadian Forces base to the arm's-length, self-financing body Canada Lands in 2002.
Local civic officials have spent a year planning for the future development of the property.
"That runway in particular is something I think is a valuable asset that should be preserved," said MacKay.
The minister said he hoped to make progress in talks "very soon."
"There's obvious hurdles yet to overcome with respect to how we purchase it back and Treasury Board approval, but I'm working on it," he said.
MacKay said the use of the entire base for helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft is something "we need to take maximum advantage of."
Advocates of expanding the military's use of the site have argued that it would be ideal for the proposed standing contingency task force.
The force, which has been put on hold until after the 2010 Olympics, would use an amphibious ship to transport Canadian troops and equipment to world hot spots
