Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Politicians agree Sarnia needs a solid plan to make the money-losing Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport viable again.  But they’re having trouble deciding exactly how to make that happen.

At its Monday meeting, after considerable debate, city council voted 5-4 in favour of a new committee of three council members to sort out what’s next for the airport.

Eight months ago, council approved the creation of a Municipal Service Corporation (MSC) to manage the airport.  Chris Hadfield Airport has required subsidization from the city up to $400,000 annually since losing its last big carrier in 2020 when Air Canada shut down passenger service,

In June 2025, several councillors and Mayor Mike Bradley said time was of the essence to establish an MSC with a CEO and board of directors because a contract with the current operator – Scottsdale Aviation – expires in mid-2027.

Seven months went by and council abruptly changed direction in January, citing the high cost of a Municipal Service Corporation pegged at $2.1 million for 2.5 years.  

The question of what to do returned to council Monday and Coun. Adam Kilner made a motion to stick with the MSC plan.

“Every time we flip-flop, it removes opportunity,” Kilner said.  “Stability provides opportunity in the business world.” 

He called the decision a “no brainer.” 

“It’s quite shocking that we are focusing on whose model is best rather than focusing on a model we already chose,” he said.

Councillor Anne Marie Gillis, who was absent when the MSC was deep-sixed in January, said she is fully in support of one. It may be expensive but it’s a sound decision and more efficient than a committee of council, Gillis said.

Councillor Brian White suggested that there may be “some very exciting prospects” for the airport. “Seeding doubt in the minds and hearts of potential investors is not the right path now.”

“It’s a bit shocking the way things turned out at the last meeting,” White said.  “I am 100 per cent on board with an MSC.  I don’t think we can delay any longer.”

Mayor Mike Bradley has also been vocal about creating a Municipal Service Corporation, saying it is better to hire industry experts to get the job done and operate the airport more like a business.

But Councillors George Vandenberg, Terry Burrell, Bill Dennis, Chrissy McRoberts and Dave Boushy voted against an MSC.

That’s when Burrell suggested an “ad hoc” committee comprised of himself, McRoberts and Kilner to “investigate and develop a way forward” for the airport.

An ad hoc committee will save money and ensure council retains control, said Burrell. 

“We need to get our house in order and get the job done,” warned Kilner who was not in favour of the committee of council but agreed to sit on it.

“This is like groundhog day,” commented Mayor Bradley.

Burrell told The Independent he is concerned that the airport needs a source of income before incurring expenses. 

There are many possibilities to explore, he said.  Outside from attracting a passenger service again, the airport could raise revenue by catering to importers and exporters;  servicing private planes, renting hangars and even leasing surrounding acreage for agricultural use.    

“It’s an international airport and we are a border city,” Burrell said.  “It provides medical transfers, search and rescue and it’s a valuable asset.

“If you let it go, you’d never get it back.”

Kilner said that while he’d prefer the MSC model, he’s willing to serve on the ad hoc committee to help get a concrete plan in place.

“It’s very frustrating that we have to go back to the drawing board,” Kilner said. “But now we need to get to work as quickly as possible.  In the municipal world, a year is no time at all.  We have to get this done.”

Apart from the economic impact a successful municipal airport can have, council owes it to its namesake to make a success of it, he said. “That airport bears the name of a very unique human being, so it’s our responsibility to honour (astronaut) Chris Hadfield for all his contributions.”

The committee is to report back by June at the latest.