Brown Demands Restoration of Water Bomber and Wabush Base in Budget 2025
- NL NDP
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2025
NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) is once again renewing his call for the return of the water bomber and the reestablishment of the Wabush base, emphasizing the urgent need for this to be included in Budget 2025-2026.
Brown points to evacuation last summer of Labrador City, the largest emergency evacuation in the province’s history, as clear evidence that government must act now to restore the fifth water bomber to the Wabush airport, where it was previously stationed.
“Since 2018, our province has been operating one water bomber short, while this Liberal government drags its feet on repairs and allows costs to balloon,” said Brown. “Labrador West residents know we cannot afford any more delays. We need that water bomber back, and we need it based in Wabush where it belongs.
“Government hasn’t yet provided a clear reason for their refusal,” said Brown. “I hope they recognize the importance of having a water bomber in Labrador West, but their refusal to rebuild the base in Wabush puts the region at risk.”
Last summer, government announced the creation of the Atlantic Wildfire Centre in Gander, a move that offloads fire safety responsibilities in Labrador to Quebec. Brown says this decision is yet another sign of the government’s ongoing neglect of Labrador.
“Improving access to service is one thing, but in the same breath they announced they would outsource firefighting in Labrador West to Quebec, without replacing the water bomber this government removed from the region,” said Brown. “Hearing this after the summer we had here, it’s just unacceptable.
“This is just another example of government treating Labrador West like a mining camp, rather than the vital community that it is. Labradorians deserve to feel safe and protected, but instead government is choosing to walk away from its responsibility.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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