Base preservation a priority, Defence Minister says

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Graham takes questions from local reporters during a visit Tuesday to CFB North Bay. Photo by Phil Novak, BayToday.ca

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Graham says he’s willing to talk to the city about turning over some unused housing on the base.

But Graham says he wants to make sure the base’s integrity is preserved first.

Graham was in North Bay Tuesday touring the base.

Bulldoze them
His visit came a day after city council passed a resolution calling for any potential destruction of surplus base houses and to have them handed over to the Nipissing District Social Services Administration Board.

There are about 100 houses involved and Coun. Mike Anthony
was concerned that while negotiations are going on for them, the Defence Department could come in and bulldoze them.

Very important
The subject was brought up when Graham met with local reporters following his tour.

While he admitted to being “not that familiar” with the issue, Graham said the Defence Department “cannot” take any steps which would not be good for the base.

“The important thing is preserve the base which is vital to economy of the region. This is a very very important base and it will remain and important base,” Graham said.

“If there is some solution to the houses being moved which would preserve the integrity of the base, I’m sure we would be willing to talk, we’re more than like to do that, and we’re always willing to cooperate. But as long as this is an active base the key is it has to be preserved as an active base which is doing its job.”

Vital institution
The underground NORAD facility in North Bay will be moved above ground into a new $18 million facility and have up to date surveillance equipment installed, Graham said.

And he confirmed CFB North Bay’s importance to NORAD.

“This is base is secure, we need this base and we want to make sure we take all steps to keep it,” Graham said.

“NORAD is a vital institution to Canada and this base is vital to NORAD.”

Primary concern
Graham said any discussion about the houses will be led by Rota.

“He has spoken to me about the situation and clearly he wants to work with the city to find any solution that is beneficial to the residents of North Bay,” Graham said.

“I’ll work with Anthony for it we’ll do our best to make sure the solution is right.”

His responsibility as Defence Minister, though, Graham said, was to make sure CFB North Bay “is an effective base as far the economy of this area concerned.”

“This base comes first and that’s the primary concern,” Graham said.

“We’ll work on that and if we can work out a solution of moving the houses or doing something like that I’m willing to work with anybody for a solution that’s good for the community and that guarantees the base’s integrity.”

Micromanage the military base
Rota says the Defence Department has got to do "what they think is right" to make sure military operations in North Bay work well.

"I'm not going to come in here and micromanage the military base," Rota said.

"The military does have certain ways of doing things and I want to make sure it operates correctly."

Work together
Rota said some rowhousing on the base is the subject of discussion.

"But as far as houses go there are a lot of reservations going on as as well to make the base more user-friendly for the troops," Rota said.

And while he didn't say he'd seek a freeze on any potential destruction of the houses, Rota said he will continue discussions with the city about other uses for them.

"We'll work together and see what the possibilities are."