Natural Resources
Business
August 30, 2011
Waterbomber Purchase Agreement Continuing to Benefit Province
The Provincial Government’s forest fire suppression capabilities have been further strengthened, thanks to the arrival of the province’s third new Bombardier 415 waterbomber aircraft.
“We are indeed pleased to see this new aircraft joining our fleet of waterbombers,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Our investments in these new state-of-the-art aircraft will rejuvenate our waterbomber fleet and ensure that we have the necessary equipment to provide effective and efficient aerial forest fire suppression services for many years.”
The new aircraft is the third to enter service in the provincial fleet since the announcement of a purchase agreement, valued at $120 million, for four Bombardier 415 waterbomber aircraft in October 2009.
“These new aircraft carry more water and are faster than the older CL-215 aircraft,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources. “They are indeed a welcome addition to our set of forest fire suppression tools and will ensure that we can continue to protect our communities and our forest resources long into the future.”
As part of a separate agreement negotiated with Bombardier in 2009, the Provincial Government secured industrial benefits for the province. The Provincial Government and Bombardier Aerospace have since agreed on additional industrial benefits to be provided to the province as well as on a revised delivery date for the final aircraft which will now be delivered in April 2012.
“We have developed a relationship with Bombardier Aerospace that is not only seeing our fleet of waterbomber aircraft reinvigorated, but also helping to provide opportunities for, and strengthen, the growing aerospace industry in our province,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Business. “Our province continues to lead the country in economic growth and we are working to grow industries such as aerospace to help further diversify our economy for continued prosperity.”
The Provincial Government currently operates a fleet of six waterbombers supplemented by light helicopters under contract. Waterbombers are strategically situated around the province in Gander, Deer Lake, St. John’s, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush.
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Media contacts:
| Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
| Carol Ann Carter Director of Communications Department of Business 709-729-7628, 631-9505 carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca |
2011 08 30 10:35 a.m.