MMF teams with Babcock for aviation takeoff

Métis leadership’s hopes are flying high: the Manitoba Métis Federation aims to be the province’s next aerial firefighting contractor.

On Thursday, the MMF unveiled a business it’s launched with Babcock Canada, a mammoth aviation and engineering company.

The pair signed a memorandum of understanding and committed to work together long-term.

“What better connection would you want?” Chartrand said. “It’s (the) perfect partnership.”

The Manitoba Métis Federation bought an airstrip in Pine Dock two years ago. It’s spent millions of dollars renovating the 400-acre site, Chartrand said.

Meantime, Babcock Canada has sought to expand its aviation business in Manitoba. It manages seven water bombers and three spotter aircraft for wildfire suppression.

The Manitoba government awarded Babcock a 10-year contract in 2019.

In 2022 alone, Babcock counted more than 930 firefighting missions in the province.

Government has signalled an interest in expanding aerial firefighting, Chartrand said. Wildfires burned 2.38 million hectares in Manitoba last year. At least 33,000 Manitobans evacuated; it was one of the province’s most severe wildfire seasons.

“It takes too long to react,” Chartrand said. “(Pine Dock) is a closer destination, where the planes will be closer to the southeast.”

The airstrip is by the southern shores of Lake Winnipeg’s north basin. It’s roughly 2.5 hours north of Winnipeg.

Babcock Canada has operated its aircraft out of Winnipeg, Gimli, The Pas and Thompson.

It and the MMF said they’ll apply for an air operator certificate under their new company, Infinity Aviation.

They expect to operate “smaller, more nimble single-engined aircraft” out of Pine Dock, said Tony March, Babcock Canada’s chief executive.

He declined to say how many aircraft might be stationed on site. Babcock Canada would lead the maintenance and co-ordination of the planes, along with other service delivery needs. The Métis federation plans to hire and train pilots.

Chartrand estimated seven to 10 new pilot and maintenance jobs would be created.

Depending on government procurement, Infinity Aviation could be ready for the beginning of the 2028 fire season, March said.

Babcock Canada is an offshoot of United Kingdom-based Babcock International Group. The corporation covers naval, land, air and nuclear operations.

Its Canadian branch owns 49 per cent of Infinity Aviation; the Manitoba Métis Federation has 51 per cent.

Chartrand said he’ll use the airstrip for other purposes if Infinity Aviation doesn’t ink a deal with the province. For example, the Métis could rent to First Nations looking to ship products north, he said.

Cabins, roads and parking have been renovated over the past two years. The airstrip may need fine-tuning, and hangars will be “necessary,” Chartrand said.

The property is accessible by road.

Beverlie Stuart, Manitoba Aerospace and Defence’s chief executive, called collaboration “key” to growing the province’s defence industry.

The Manitoba Métis Federation and Babcock Canada said they plan to jointly pursue aviation and aerospace services, among other things, long-term.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com