Minister has no intention on closing bases

Canadian Defense Minister David Pratt has “no intention” of closing military bases across Canada including CFB North Bay, his spokesman says.

Darren Gibb was responding to an article in today’s National Post that stated the Canadian air force, navy and army expect to be $500 million short of the money needed to fulfill their commitments.

The information is based on internal documents the government seems reluctant to release, the National Post article states.

But military sources told the Post the air force—short $150 million in its budget—has suggested CFB North Bay be closed as a cost-cutting measure as well as bases at Goose Bay, Nfld., Bagotville, Que., and Winnipeg.

“I can’t comment on speculation in the media but let me say the minister clearly has no intention of closing any bases,” Gibb said.

Words somewhat different
A business planning process has been underway by senior DND staff, Gibb said, “but it’s independent from the comprehensive policy review just getting underway.”

The documents talked about in the Post article, Gibb added, are only draft documents.

Gibb admitted he didn’t know about the 20-year agreement signed between the city and DND to keep the base open, but he was aware of the ground breaking last August for the above ground NORAD facility in North Bay.

But Gibb’s words are somewhat different than what Pratt told Nipissing MP Bob Wood when the two met this morning.

“His words to me were that he was confident that at the end of the day there would be no base closures,” Wood said.

“You have to remember this is budget time, and it’s the National Post, which I think is up there with Frank magazine.”

Why would they stop now?
Wood said rumours about base closures happen “all the time.”

“People say bases will close unless they get 'X' amount of dollars,” Wood said.

“But you just have to look at the investment going on at the base in North Bay to read between the lines. Why would they stop now?”

Smoke and fire
North Bay Mayor Vic Fedeli said he was “somewhat reassured” by Gibb’s statement, but wondered if DND was floating “a trial balloon” by leaking information to the Post.

“Usually with these things where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Fedeli said.

“And if this does settle down within the next 24 hours the further questions are what makes somebody think North Bay should be on the list, and how are these reports generated without the minister’s knowledge.”