Make 5 Wing Goose Bay a processing centre for Syrian refugees, says Yvonne Jones
Labrador MP Yvonne Jones says the base at 5 Wing Goose Bay should be used to process Syrian refugees, to help Ottawa fulfill a commitment to bring 25,000 refugees to Canada before the end of the year.
"We have the ability to house about a thousand people. We have food services we can provide. We have lecture theatres that are available," said Jones, who was in her riding on Wednesday.
"We also have an international runway, we have a port,"
Jones said she has approached the cabinet committee struck by the minister of national defence.
It's a good fit for us. The timing is right for us.- Labrador MP Yvonne Jones
"I've already made that offer and I've asked them to look at that," she said. "I'm hoping to have some feedback within the next week or two."
Jones said the committee is looking at bases across Canada, and there will have to be consultations with the local community.
But she said the facility in Goose Bay has a lot going for it, including security fencing put up for international training exercises in Labrador.
"Obviously we have the safety and security mechanisms in place and we have the ability and the infrastructure, so we've offered that up to the minister and his committee to look at."
Canada is a country that is built on immigrants. Jones said, and Goose Bay is used to hosting the military and delegations from around the world.
"It's a good fit for us. The timing is right for us," she said.