Groups condemn low-level flights over Labrador

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A federal study on low-level flying has been attacked by groups representing doctors, lawyers and women for failing to deal with the social impacts of increased training flights over Labrador. Already about 7,000 such flights occur each year. But the number would rise to about 40,000 if Canada wins its bid to build a $500-million NATO flight-training base. High rates of alcoholism, suicides and teenage pregnancies in the Goose Bay area of Labrador were ignored in the environmental impact study of low-level flying done for the Department of National Defense, said the groups. The 1,000-page study needs major revisions to include how Natives will be affected by increased low-level flying before the document can even be discussed at upcoming hearings, according to representatives of the four groups.