Inky Mark, Member of Parliament Chief Opposition Critic Canadian Heritage Dauphin-Swan River

For Immediate Release May 23, 2000

MARK THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND CFB SHILO

Dauphin- Canadian Alliance MP Inky Mark says the Defence Department should do all it can to ensure CFB Shilo, near Brandon,

remains viable. Mark says CFB Shilo should be kept operational year- round and he will step up the lobby in the House of Commons.

"There is no question Canadian soldiers deserve the best training facilities we can offer, and CFB Shilo is second to none. That is why

the German Government sent their soldiers there. It doesn't make sense to abandon facilities which were just recently upgraded by the public purse," Mark said.

The German Government announced late last year, they would no longer use the base to train its troops. They have used the facilities for 26 years, and have contributed funding to keep the centre open.

"Moving jobs from Shilo would be another attack on rural culture in Canada. It's rural Manitoba that needs the related job activity, not Winnipeg. We need to think of the rural economy and impact on the rural population as a whole," Mark stated.

Land forces in Manitoba are currently undergoing a full-scale review.

The final phase of information gathering is underway to further support options being considered by the federal government.

The German Government will vacate the facilities by next summer.

The regional economic impact of Shilo is estimated to be about $52-million per year, which does not include estimates of German involvement in Shilo.

For more information contact Inky Mark MP (204) 622-4659