Repair Contract Awarded, But Brown Says Labrador Still Left Behind

NL NDP
Apr 24
2 min read

For Immediate Release

April 24, 2025

NDP MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) says it’s a case of “better late than never” as government finally awards a contract to repair the province’s fifth waterbomber.

Since 2018, the aircraft has been out of service due to damage, with the Liberal government repeatedly delaying repairs. Brown says this delay reflects a lack of urgency in protecting vital resources.

“It’s taken seven years and the cost has grown, but I’m relieved to see the repair contract finally awarded. We can now look forward to more coverage by the 2026–2027 season,” said Brown. “While it’s good to see movement, I remain critical of the years of inaction, especially during seasons of devastating forest fires when that fifth waterbomber could have made a real difference.”

Brown adds that without a commitment to return a waterbomber to Wabush, the announcement means little to Labrador West, where residents already feel their safety concerns are being ignored. This follows the province’s largest evacuation, which occurred this past summer in Labrador.

“When the fifth waterbomber was damaged, they pulled the one stationed in Wabush and never returned it. Instead, they tore down the base and now refuse to rebuild,” said Brown.

“I have raised concerns about forest fires in Labrador West in the House of Assembly, including May 2024 when I presented data from Environment Canada warning of high probability of risk. Multiple Ministers continue to downplay these concerns.

“I welcome any effort to protect Labrador West, but that must include returning a waterbomber to Wabush,” Brown said. “The Big Land is vast, and claiming waterbombers from Gander can serve the entire province shows a clear lack of understanding, or care, about how long it actually takes to respond. Once again, this government treats Labrador as out of sight, out of mind.”

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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