Denise Savoie
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LETTER TO MINISTER OF DEFENCE REGARDING U.S. LIVE FIRE EXERCISES IN CANADIAN WATERS
June 19, 2007
The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Defence
157 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Minister O’Connor:
I write to urge you to put an end to live-round firing exercises being conducted by the United States Coast Guard in areas recognized as corridors for migrating whales off the coast of British Columbia for safety and environmental reasons, at least until this practice has been reexamined.
In response to my question in the House last week regarding the government’s handling of a reported incident involving US Coast Guard gunboats firing in an area near the famous J-pod of orcas, your Parliamentary Secretary, Russ Hiebert, responded that the military performed these exercises on a regular basis and ensured that safety and environmental measures were in place. Mr. Hiebert’s answer was entirely inadequate and failed to address the concerns raised in my question.
To elaborate, in May 2007, whale-watchers observed US Coast Guard gunboats shooting in the vicinity of a pod of whales while engaged in a military exercise at a Canadian naval range off Sheringham Point near Sooke, BC. It is simply unacceptable for US Coast Guard gunboats to imperil the few remaining endangered orcas in the area.
It is incumbent upon you to make public the findings of Maritime Forces’ report on this incident and to explain why there is a need for the United States to conduct military training in Canadian waters, as well as to explain the accepted procedure for these types of exercises. I also ask that you ascertain whether US Coast Guard regulations are consistent with Canadian environmental and safety regulations.
During similar firing exercises in the Great Lakes, the US Coast Guard used lead rounds, which clearly pose a threat to our health and environment. In light of recent scientific reports that have indicated that there is simply no such thing as a “safe”
level of lead in water used for drinking and other human activity, the possible use of lead ammunition is of grave concern to residents
My constituents request that you provide answers to these questions and I look forward to your prompt response to their concerns.
Sincerely,
Denise Savoie