The province’s Transportation Minister says they are working on solutions to issues facing the provincial waterbomber fleet.

The PCs, NDP, and NAPE have all raised concerns after it was revealed that there was only one waterbomber crew available in the province last weekend.

John Abbott says he met with NAPE and crews in Gander and St. John’s last week to get a good sense of what is happening.

Abbott says there is a shortage of waterbomber personnel “across the globe” currently, resulting in staff shortages.

He says they are hoping to have a solution very soon so that they can deal with a compensation issue amongst pilots.

Despite the challenges being faced, when asked if the province has what it needs to respond to multiple serious fires, Abbott responds with a simple “yes.”

He says there are three waterbombers on the island and one in Labrador, and they would recall staff if necessary. However, he says they want to make sure those crews are in place and ready to go all the time.