Introduction
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support to refurbish Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Bagotville, located in Quebec’s Saguenay region. He was joined by Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
The support announced today will be used to build new housing facilities and renovate existing ones, upgrade airfields and runways, and improve signage. It is estimated that over the next two years, these projects will result in the creation of 270 jobs.
During the visit, the Prime Minister met with members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and thanked them personally for their efforts to protect Canadians at home and abroad and in the fight against jihadi terrorism. Recent missions supported by CFB Bagotville include daily defence of North American airspace through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) as well as supporting Canada’s participation in the efforts of the global coalition against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria through Operation IMPACT.
The renewal of CFB Bagotville will help ensure that the base is a modern, safe and secure CAF facility that will enable base personnel to carry out their missions in a timely and effective manner for years to come. Such work will improve the condition of ageing facilities and also contribute to increasing efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
The support being provided today is part of the federal infrastructure initiative that the Government announced in November 2014 which included support to repair and upgrade CAF facilities across the country. The federal infrastructure initiative is part of the largest and longest infrastructure plan in Canadian history supporting federal, provincial, territorial, and community infrastructure projects across the country; a plan generating jobs, opportunities, economic growth and prosperity for years to come.
Today’s announcement is also one of many measures that the Government has taken to ensure that the brave men and women of the CAF have the tools and resources they need to defend Canadian interests and values.
Quick Facts
- Also known as 3 Wing, CFB Bagotville provides general purpose, multi-role, combat capable forces in support of domestic and international roles of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Its goal, under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division, is to protect Canada and Canadians, defend North America and promote peace and international security. Equipped with CF-18 Hornets, it is one of two fighter aircraft bases in Canada.
- Another formation at CFB Bagotville is 2 Wing, the RCAF’s air expeditionary wing, which is able to rapidly deploy as a self-contained unit, employing air power and providing associated support wherever needed, across Canada or around the world.
- The Government is also implementing other measures to upgrade national military capabilities in the west and east coast regions including: the modernization and upgrade of the Halifax-class frigates, starting delivery of the new Cyclone maritime helicopters in 2015 and issuing a request for proposals to replace the fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft.
- In 2008, the Government of Canada introduced the Canada First Defence Strategy, a strategic road map for the modernization of the CAF. Infrastructure is one of the four pillars upon which military capabilities are built, along with personnel, equipment and readiness. In order to meet Canada’s future defence and security requirements, approximately 50 per cent of the defence real property portfolio will be replaced or refurbished over 20 years.
Quotes
“Our Government remains committed to ensuring that our soldiers have access to the modern infrastructure they need to succeed in the very difficult tasks we ask of them. Today’s announcement will help to ensure that Canadian Forces Base Bagotville continues to operate as a safe, modern and secure facility for years to come.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“I was pleased to have the opportunity today to meet with the brave men and women of Canadian Forces Base Bagotville and to thank them for their service to our country and their efforts to protect Canadians at home, in the world’s most difficult places, and in the fight against jihadi terrorism. Canadians are proud and indebted to our soldiers in uniform and admire them for the important sacrifices they continue to make.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
“As we approach the 150th anniversary of Confederation, Canadians recognize that our success as a country is a result of generations of our military personnel defending freedom and justice in the world.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper
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