Conservative plan will create jobs in the Saguenay region
BAGOTVILLE – Conservative leader Stephen Harper today unveiled the Québec component of his “Canada First” defence plan. The plan will strengthen the rapid reaction capability of our armed forces in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, both at home and abroad.
“I’m proud to announce initiatives of our broader defence plan that are specific to Quebec,” said Harper. “These measures will guarantee the long term life of the Bagotville base, a base with a long and proud tradition.”
The investment is in addition to a number of regional announcements, including a national strategic airlift capacity, new rapid reaction army battalions, and a revitalized presence in the North.
Harper noted that in the past, Canada has been forced to rely on American and Russian aircraft to respond to domestic and international emergencies. Examples of this include the Manitoba floods in 1997 and the Ontario-Quebec ice storm in 1998 as well as Canada’s response to the South Asian tsunami early last year.
“Canada needs the ability to be able to respond to our own domestic emergencies without relying on other nations,” Harper said.
A Conservative government will:
- Station a new rapid reaction army battalion composed of 650 regular force personnel, air deployable throughout Canada and abroad out of CFB Bagotville. This new battalion will increase the number of military personnel in Bagotville by more than 50 per cent;
- Upgrade the existing fleet of CF-18 fighters at CFB Bagotville;
- Increase army personnel levels in Quebec by recruiting an estimated 1000 regular force personnel and 750 reserve force personnel to meet army requirements throughout Québec. The majority of the increase will occur at CFB Valcartier, with additional increases at the St. Jean training school and CFB Montreal; and
- Establish two new territorial defence battalions (100 regular force and 400 reserve force personnel each) for enhanced emergency response in the areas of Québec City and Montréal.
“Our armed forces protect us here and provide assistance throughout the world on our behalf,” said Harper. “The men and women who wear the Canadian uniform must have the tools that they need to protect themselves and the resources required to do their jobs.”
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For more information: Conservative Party Press Office (613) 755-2191
