Former soldier says he was sprayed with chemicals at CFB Gagetown
Last Updated Thu, 30 Jun 2005 18:23:53 EDT
CBC News www.cbc.ca
A veteran who served at CFB Gagetown, in New Brunswick, has stepped forward with allegations he and others were deliberately sprayed with chemicals in the spring of 1967.
Herb Crowe believes he and others were part of an experiment on humans with the defoliant Agent Orange. Crowe says he decided to speak out after Defence Minister Bill Graham denied such experiments ever took place.
Crowe served in the 2RCHA artillery unit at CFB Gagetown from 1957 to 1985. He says in June of 1967, the same month the U.S. military was testing Agent Orange and Agent Purple at the base, he and several other artillery members were taken out into the woods.
"Once down there we were all ushered into a large tent, took our uniforms off, given coveralls and I don't know if they gave us a respirator, or we had our own with us.
"We were then taken out into the area. We were then put under camouflage net in the trees. [After a] little while then, not sure if it was fixed-wing or helicopter, came along and physically sprayed us while we were there in the woods in the camouflage nets."
Crowe says the soldiers were sprayed several times and then told they had to be decontaminated.
"When the spraying was finished we were taken into the tent, coveralls off, sprayed with some kind of a powder, took a shower, put our uniforms back on and were taken back to the base."
Crowe says he was summoned for a second test in the following days and noticed all the leaves were dead. He now believes he was part of a test conducted by the Americans using Agent Orange and Agent Purple. At the time soldiers were told nothing.
The 69-year-old is in good health, but he says several of the people who were with him on that June day are now dead, or dying. "Some of the people have passed away since then; most of them with cancer and a few still around today have cancer and they were on that test."
CBC News has contacted another member of Crowe's artillery unit who was with Crowe that day who confirms the test took place.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Bill Graham said he's looked into it and there is no evidence "whatsoever" of tests on humans at CFB Gagetown.
"There was never any attempt whatsoever of any kind to actually spray individuals or to test material on individuals at Gagetown. That was not the purpose of anything that was being done. It was simply how do we remove the foliage in order for the operation to be more effective," said Graham.
Graham says he's willing to keep looking into it and to hear from people who say it happened.
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The DaiIy Gleaner www.canadaeast.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2005
Agent Orange plan in works
Andy Scott says the government will roll out its proposal in the coming days
By JORGE BARRERA
barrera.jorge@dailygleaner.com
OTTAWA - The federal government will announce its plan to deal with the fallout from chemical defoliant tests at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in the coming days, says Fredericton MP Andy Scott.
On Wednesday, federal cabinet ministers discussed a proposal that is expected to go beyond measures already announced by the Department of National Defence.
Scott, who is also the minister of Indian Affairs, said he couldn’t hint at what the proposal contained because it would breach cabinet confidentiality.
“The federal response is days away...” Scott said after the meeting.
“It’s one that I am quite happy with, as it’s playing out.”
Defence Department officials have said the toxic defoliant Agent Orange and Agent Purple were tested in small amounts at CFB Gagetown over seven days between 1966 and 1967.
But the department has said it’s unlikely residents of the surrounding communities were affected by the tests.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has already compensated the widow of one former military officer for illness caused by Agent Orange testing on the base.
Scott, who flew hack to Fredericton on Wednesday, said he will be talking about the matter this week with Oromocto-Gagetown Conservative MLA Jody Carr.
“I am going to discuss this with some friends in the area, including the people who contacted my office,” said Scott.
Carr has been calling on the government to launch an independent review of the entire defoliant program at CFB Gagetown, which he said dates back to 1956. He wants Ottawa to compensate military and civilians who were exposed to the defoliants.
The Defence Department has announced it will conduct environmental studies on Agent Orange and Agent Purple test plots at the base. The department is also tracing all personnel directly involved in the testing.
New Brunswick Southwest Conservative MP Greg Thompson has called for a public inquiry into chemical testing at the base.
Defence Department officials have said there is a tenuous connection between adverse health affects and exposure to Agent Orange and Agent Purple.
While no direct link has been established, other scientific research points to an association between the chemical defoliant and cancers such as soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin’s disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
FOR UPDATES ON AGENT ORANGE: www.jodycarr.ca
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ubject: THOMPSON CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 18:02:51 -0300
From: "Carr, Jody (LEG)"
From: Thompson, Greg - M.P. [mailto:ThompG@parl.gc.ca]
Sent: June 27, 2005 4:41 PM
To: Carr, Jody (LEG)
Subject: RE: NEWSWATCH: Andy Scott
Hi Jody
Greg filed a notice of motion in the House of Commons asking for a public inquiry, he asked the speaker for an emergency debate about 15 minutes ago and the speaker said no, he filed 2 notices for the production of papers (1) all studies conducted by the government concerning chemical defoliants CFB Gagetown (2) correspondence between C.O. Gordon Sellar, his widow and DND, Vet Aff, Health, Environment and Justice federal depts. concerning the use of and compensation for use of chemical defoliants at CFB Gagetown. I have attached the press release that just went out.
Talk to you soon.
Fran
From: Carr, Jody (LEG) [mailto:jody.carr@gnb.ca]
Sent: June 27, 2005 12:15 PM
To: Thompson, Greg - M.P.
Subject: FW: NEWSWATCH: Andy Scott
FYI
From: Carr, Jack (LEG)
Sent: June 27, 2005 1:13 PM
To: Carr, Jody (LEG)
Subject: NEWSWATCH: Andy Scott
· CBC Maritime Noon, 12:00 pm, June 27: Fredericton MP Andy Scott says he would support a broad fact-finding mission into the effects of spraying across the country. MLA Jody Carr is calling for an inquiry as a way to find more answers for veterans at
CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick who were exposed to Agent Orange in the 1960s. Comments made by Andy Scott, Fredericton MP
PRESS RELEASE
THOMPSON CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY
Ottawa – June 27, 2005 – Greg Thompson, M.P. for New Brunswick Southwest is asking the Government of Canada to conduct a public inquiry on the herbicidal spraying programs at CFB Gagetown from 1956 to 1984. Mr. Thompson states the inquiry should also have the authority to make recommendations for compensation of all persons affected, both civilian and military.
Thompson says; “the public interest can only be served with an independent inquiry removed from the influence of senior officials in Ottawa”.
Appearing before the Standing Committee on National Defence and again at a public meeting at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, National Defence officials confirmed their investigation of Agent Orange and Agent Purple would be limited to “small scale” test periods during 1966 and 1967. Thompson suggests an investigation should not be limited to small scale test plots in a 2 year period, but should extend to the entire spray period from 1956 to 1984. The Government of Canada has silently sat on and withheld information on this spray program issue since 1981, information that could have been helpful to both civilian and military personnel and the surrounding communities at Base Gagetown. In the meantime literally hundreds of civilian and military persons have experienced a negative impact on their health.
Thompson states DND officials continue to ignore medical and scientific evidence on Agent Orange, and have drawn their conclusion on any future investigations yet to be carried out. In their own words DND officials state “In the absence of deliberate ingestion of large amounts of contaminated material, there is virtually no risk of significant exposure related to the spraying among Canadian Forces members who subsequently trained in Gagetown”.
Thompson today introduced in the House of Commons a Notice of Motion that would establish a public inquiry on the use of Agent Orange and Agent Purple and other chemical defoliants used between 1956 and 1984 at CFB Gagetown. The Government of Canada has the moral and ethical responsibility to provide all Canadians with a forum that is public and fair and with the authority to make recommendations for compensation”.
- 30 –
For information contact
Greg Thompson, M.P.
New Brunswick Southwest
613-995-5550
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AGENT ORANGE - "THE HOUSE" - CBC RADIO NATIONAL POLITICAL PROGRAMNew
Anthony Germain of CBC Radio's "The House" plays clips of Kenneth Dobbie, John Chisolm, Glen Stewart and others from last Thursday's public meeting and interviews Jody Carr, MLA on the top story about chemical exposure at Base Gagetown since 1956 on this past Saturday's program.
VISIT WWW.JODYCARR.CA TO HEAR THE PROGRAM AND READ MORE ABOUT AGENT ORANGE USED AT BASE GAGETOWN
17 comments:
Jody Carr is desperate to find a way to make a claim to fame and he is going orange, purple and blue over this issue.
Agent orange was horrible thing which government of the day allowed Americans to spray and if Bernard Lord would have been premier at the time he would have probably rolled out red carpet for Americans given the way he is a little lapdog to Bush. Jody Carr would have gone along too. Now Jody Carr is trying to be a hero after the fact and it works fine for him because there is a Liberal government in Ottawa and he can do all the Liberal bashing. Damn hypocrit.
It is hoped that victims of agent orange will get proper compensation as they must.
"Jody Carr would have gone along too. Now Jody Carr is trying to be a hero after the fact and it works fine for him because there is a Liberal government in Ottawa and he can do all the Liberal bashing. Damn hypocrit."
Sorry...I must come to Jody Carr rescue in this one in a truthful way.
Once I first head that Jody Carr was involded in this issue?
I said to myself- Hey? This is a Federal issue. Why is he involded in this anyway?
I confronted Jody face to face and asked- What's going on? Do you have Federal Ambitions?
I seen it on many occasions when people gives a helping hand? They always run for political office.
In this case? I truly believe that Jody is going it because the people in that area are in his riding.
I truly believe that he's going to because he has a good heart. I always like the guy because I find him honest.
But then again? If he would have been truly honest? He would have cross the floor a long time ago!
But what do I know?
lol
Hey? Too early in the morning for this BS! I need a coffee!!!
Please do get coffee for yourself because Jody Carr is doing it for self glory. A premier wanna be. If he has morals he should have crossed the floor long time ago as Lord government has screwed the province.
Lord refuses to do anything for your kids and some kids are committing suicide because of Ritalin. Others going on to more dangerous drugs.Lord refuses to do anything about VLTs and lives are being lost. Why does Carr not speak up for these lives? HE won't because he is a hypocrit.
Well I feel it is time I put a few words to this little debate.
I'm afraid I have to totally disagree with the negative comments in this story because I have had the pleasure of speaking to Jody Carr a couple of times.
He is obviously very young as far as politics are concerned he has a very long road to travel if he intends to pursue a career in this field and I do believe he is on the right path.
He has a great set of ears as well a an effective voice.
As of yet he also has a compassion for the job before him,
We must remember once in awhile we do come across a true believer in fixing this shaken system even if he wants to be seen as a Conservative.
I am also quite sure it really doesn't matter what party he belongs to, he would not have a problem representing his riding as he is an approachable person who gives off the sense of Honesty to prevail with the issues of which he is presented.
He is also not afraid to share his views on the issues we confront him with.
I have discussed the VLT fiasco with him and he agreed loud and clear that Responsible Regulation is long overdue.
Because of the referendum assuring these machines will not be removed or reduced he agrees there must be something put in place to ease this burden on both sides for the people of this Province because of such a split view on VLT's as well as the governmental handling of such programs that effect the very people in which they govern.
And might I say he didn't have to look over his shoulder to see if Mr. Lord was listing or that he even approved of him stating his views.
Also as far as Agent Orange goes this is after all his riding and he most definitely wants to do all that is possible for these people.
If you didn't notice, Let me clarify, He jumped right in to this issue as soon as it came up nobody had to send out a search party like they would have to find Mr. Lord.
And finally I was at the Oromocto High School Graduation along with about 2500 other people and was pleased to see Jody Carr there as well meeting parents and students.
He was very approachable and I was pleased to see that the young people were quite happy to talk to him and he was in no hurry to go anywhere but to stay and listen to what was being said.
I know there are a lot of wrongs in this Province right now and the arrow is pointed in the rightful direction of Mr. Lord.
We cannot start condemning our young up and coming politicians and begin putting titles on them as soon as they get to the legislature they too need a fair and just time period to get adjusted to how our system works and get to know the opponents of which they must face to gain the changes in which we ask, for the betterment of society as a whole.
I am quite sure Charlie Leblanc will side with me on this one as he too has had many conversations with this young man on issues such as Ritalin, VLT’s and more.
And every time Mr. Carr was more than happy to listen and respond to Charlie's questions and give his honest and open opinion on each issue.
Jody Carr is obviously not in my riding and I will gain no favors for my representation of this man but I like to believe I am a fair and just man in my evaluation of an individual who sincerely wants to make a difference and I for one want to wish him well.
Poeple in his riding know him better. I was speaking to a man who had some disability problems. I asked him that he should speak to Jody Carr as he is a good man. He said don't you ever mention htat(deletives) name to me. He said that current prevailing view in his riding was that the guy was for himself. Apparently you fellows have different view and that is ok but you do not live in his riding.
I had my coffee and I still stand by my story. Jody Carr was the first P.C. to come and chat with me near my tent. < 23 days > He was the first P.C. to grant me an interview via this blog and he was also the first to have his picture taken with me. The only thing that would turn me against Jody is if he accepts an Cabinet appointement...that would be terrible because we all know that all Cabinet Ministers agrees with Bernard Lord that the drugging and killing of our children will continue till October 15, 2007!!!!
We could use a few more Jodys in this new young political arena,If the man you have mentioned is sure he didn't get the answer he was looking for as far as the issue of Disability goes.
Maybe he should put his name out there and ask Jody his question again publicly and see what his answer might be,
I'm sure Mr.Carr will give him the time along with an explaination on his view toward a solution to his problem.
We have to start somewhere to give these young politicians a chance to build on their credibilities to a goal of proper policy and equality for all New Brunswickers.
Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Leblanc are saying that Joddy Carr was nice to them and talked nicely in a manner that he understood the issue.
Lord did sweet talking too before he became premier.
Hey! words are cheap. What has he done actually to rectify the problems . And there in lies the rub. Judy Carr sweet talked you both gentlemen.
Action=ZERO 0000.
Just like Lord he is going for high profile something to raise his profile.
Wrong again you can't get zero from statements already made,
He has made it CLEAR how he feels about a number of issues and is currently looking at ways to get the job done toward a solution for each.
He has no desire to join the upper ranks until he takes one stair at a time to achieve proper insight on what it takes to be effective as he goes.
So all disclaimers please step to the back of the line and watch how someone who wants to go the route of steady footing to stand and take his place at a later date with a properly earned portfolio in hand.
If you believe that then you should believe that I have a bridge for sale. Would you care to buy.
If Carr is so committed then why does he not speak up on the issues of Ritalin, VLT, LNG and many other issues. Why does he not make public statements.
Again if you believe that then this Christmas Santa will bring me my first Rolls Royce. I hope you are right because I will like to have a nice car than the ole broken down one I have. I canot afford insurance, gas and repairs because of Carr's government's inaction on these issues and may be Santa will take care of that too.
The guy is a hypocrit and not much different than Lord, Elvy Robichaud and Volpe the trio of hypocrisy.
I agree. Carr is all over the place about agent orange to make brownie points. Why not speak up against LNG. LNG tax break is wrong and it is fleecing the poor for the rich.
What are Jody's views on homosexuality. Would he care to share.
Well? I still support the guy. I can't condenm the guy because he's not in the Cabinet. Maybe he hears and knows that Bernard Lord will be eliminated off during the next election because of his total ignorance with New Brunswickers. I mean even to come out and say- Hey? You people got to have me as Premier till October 15, 2007!!! Even if he like it or not??? Hey? Maybe this is the reson there's no crosswalk in front of the Legislature. If a P.C. gets killed? The Bernard Lord Government will fall!!!.< I hope it never happens thatsomeone gets killed in that area > I believe that he's following Party line and you never know? He might be Premier one day? Lets not forget that he won with over 4,000 votes during the last election. As long that he doesn't take a Cabinet post? He'll be ok!!!!
he won wit 4000 votes. big deal. lord won by 46 seats majority in 1999.does that make him a great premier. now we are finding out wat a dead wood he is. in due course you will find out that carr is not any differnt.
Very interesting perspective listed here. Keeps a person humble. That is always a good thing.
In public life I have learned in my limited time in office (6 years) that you are critized no matter what you do as a politician. When I first ran in 1995, 10 years ago, at the age of 20 people laughed at me and questioned my motives, I learned right off the bat to succeed in anything in life you need to be tough.
If you do nothing, you get critized, if you speak and take action, you get critized.
To me, I go home at night knowing I have worked 110% for the people in my riding first and foremost, if I get booted out tomorrow I'll always have that to take with me.
I do not make big promises, I am not perfect by any means, but I work hard and do my best.
I know far too many people are skeptical of politicians, i don't blame them. But I will not let that skepticism encourage me to give up and not work for my constituents because a few question my motives and are skeptical.
I am very proud of two things recently, no three I guess 1) being elected at age 23 when many people laughed at me for running, 2) being re-elected by my constituents in 2003 and winning every single poll, even after our party lost 19 seats,
3) being recognized by the people who work for the MLA's at the legislature in a telegraph journal poll this past June as the best constituency MLA in NB.
I can't help everyone, but if you come to me for something I will do two things, I will either tell you I CAN help you, or I'll do my best and tell you I CAN'T. People in my riding tell me they appreciate the honesty and upfront approach. They are not always happy, but people do not experience the runaround by my office they have so often been exposed to in the past.
I like reading the feedback and perspective. I am proud to serve the people of Oromocto Gagetown.
I thank Tim and Charles for your encouragement.
Sincerly,
Jody Carr, MLA
www.jodycarr.ca
It is good to be tough and may be personally you have done good for your constituency but you are associated with a government which pretty well has screwed up NB and compassion has died painful death under Lord government. Those definitely are not the values of New Brunswickers. That is not toughness that is compromising your pricipals.
Look at senior’s situation.
Veteran who fought Hitler have to fight your government for their rights. That is where compassion and common sense has died. Fighting Hitler and then fighting your government for their rights does not sound right. What does that make your government?
If you support Tim Smith and Charles Leblanc then why do you not stand up for their cause the way you are grandstanding Agent Orange situation. Not that there is anything wrong with it, you should stand up for Agent Orange. It was an atrocity. So is indiscriminate use of Ritalin and so is evilness of VLTs which is destroying families. Stand up, speak up and be counted, Sir.
Many believe your government is destroying the health care system of New Brunswick especially in rural areas. Medical community is not so hot about your government’s so-called reforms.
Then there is the issue of Orimulsion. Your government has shut down the inquiry and now you will not extend the term of the Auditor General so that he can complete the inquiry.
On and on it goes.
Sorry! But you are associated with a dead-beat government whose outstanding attribution is incompetence and lack of compasion. And your government is deaf and blind when it comes to social issues and programs. Too bad, so sad. Speak up, Sir.
I would like to add my comments.
The Canadian government and DND
sprayed between 1956 and 1984 1.3 million litres plus another 2 million pounds of Agent Orange, Agent White and Agent Purple.
We call it 2,4-D adn 2,4,5-T and Tordon 101.
They also invited the US military to come to New Brunswick and test their Agent Orange and Agent Purple.
Agent Purple that the US had stopped using on their enemy in Vietnam because it was so bad.
Mr. Jody Carr and Mr. Greg Thompson both joined this fight for the truth and for compensation for the victims of Gagetown.
Mr. Thompson went so far to call for a public inquiry, saying this Fact Finding Project was BS.
Where are they now?
Canadian soldiers were betrayed by the government back then and once again by this Conservative government.
We were promised testing, no came.
Promised compensation for the dying and sick, none came.
When writing letter of concern to our government we are being "forwarded" from one Minister to the other.
Quiet the game they play while people dye.
Candains have been poisoned here in Canada by their government and then their government allowed another country to come here and test their chemicals on us and on our land.
Why did they pick New Brunswick to test?
One of the poorer provinces, wasn't it bad enough that they kicked the people off their land and took their land.
Is it as simple as the fact that poor people are cheaper to compensate than the wealth?
When the planes that dropped the poison from the skies missed the base and hit the farmers fields around the local area it was no big deal to DND, they compensated, and said it was not the first time this had happened.
What if it had been farmer fields in Ottawa that had their crops destroyed?
New Brunswick is dying, the land has been poisoned,the waters are dead, fish gone and the base still sprays year after year.
Cancer rates are the highest in New Brunswick.
The people are just taking a little longer to die, dioxin and hexachlorobenzene run through the people and are stored in the body fat.You never know when or what part of you will be attacked.
Scientist have now proven that the DNA of the victims is damaged.
That means not only are the victims themselves poisoned but it will be carried throught the gene pool.
The children and grandchildren pay the highest price.
What is a human life worth.
To our government, not a thing, not even the truth.
Thank You
Nancy Belfry
Born in Oromocto, New Brunswick
1962, poisoned from birth!
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