Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of National Defence.
Yesterday members of the Union of National Defence Employees produced a letter signed by a senior official of the Department of National Defence indicating it was the government's intention to completely shut down CFB Shearwater in Nova Scotia as soon as a replacement was determined for the Sea King helicopter fleet.
This statement is completely contrary to assurances given by both the Minister of National Defence and the Prime Minister on this matter.
I ask the minister today: Was this official relaying current government policy and if not, what is the policy of this government with regard to the future of CFB Shearwater?