Sarnia Airport Municipal Service Corporation

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At it's May 25, 2026 meeting City Council voted in favor of a business case to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) to govern and operate the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport (YZR). The MSC is being incorporated under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) and will assume full operational responsibility for YZR upon the expiration of the current headlease agreement on June 30, 2027.

The MSC’s primary mandate is to oversee the safe operation of the airport, ensure its long-term financial sustainability, promote growth, and increase its overall economic impact for Sarnia and Lambton County.

Background

In 1997, the City of Sarnia became the owner of the Sarnia Airport, located at 1500 Airport Road. The Airport had previously been owned by the federal government and was operated under contract by Scottsdale Aviation. Scottsdale continued operating the airport after the City took ownership and continues to operate it today.

Passenger service at the Airport ceased in 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, resulting in a significant loss of revenue. The City of Sarnia has funded the operations of the airport since 2021.

The operating agreement with Scottsdale is approaching expiration in in 2027. Sarnia City Council made the decision to proceed down a path of long-term investment and involvement in the airport as of February 2025. The City then engaged Explorer Solutions to make recommendations with respect to the best model for future governance, administrations, operations, and funding of the airport.

In June 2025, Sarnia City Council directed Staff to proceed with the steps required to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) based on the recommended model presented for the future of the airport.

What is an MSC

A MSC is a corporation created by a municipality, and owned by the municipality, to manage specific services or assets – like an airport.

For the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport, an MSC would allow the airport to operate with a level of independence and with enough flexibility to make business decisions efficiently, similar to how a private company operates. The Airport would be governed by a Board of Directors, with some powers delegated to an Airport Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Municipality would retain ownership of the airport and airport lands, and would appoint members of the Board. Certain financial decisions will also continue to be made by the City and annual reporting requirements on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will come to Council

By launching the MSC, the City of Sarnia will:

  • Protect and enhance a critical public asset while improving cost-efficiency.
  • Lay the groundwork for private investment and land development opportunities at the airport
  • Create a specialized governance model that supports growth while remaining publicly accountable.
  • Demonstrate leadership in airport innovation and regional economic stewardship.

Future updates regarding the establishment of the MSC will continue to advance through reports to Sarnia City Council.

Goals of the MSC

The goal of establishing an MSC is to unlock YZR’s full potential as a self-sustaining, strategically-governed transportation and economic asset. Establishing an MSC enables:

  • Local accountability with a focused, mission-driven governance structure that maintains alignment with municipal priorities.
  • Financial sustainability through a business-oriented model capable of generating revenue, attracting private investment, and pursuing grant funding.
  • Operational agility as an organization equipped to make timely decisions, manage leases, and foster partnerships while maintaining regulatory compliance.
  • Economic development as a more effective vehicle to support commercial growth, infrastructure development, and aviation innovation in Sarnia and Lambton County.

Board of Directors

The business case proposes a Board of Directors comprised of five to seven (5-7) members with demonstrated experience and knowledge in:

  • airport operations
  • business operations
  • finance
  • legislation and governance
  • community perspective
  • real estate development
  • investments
  • strategic oversight

The responsibilities of the Board include:

  • Strategic direction
  • Financial oversight
  • Governance
  • Risk management
  • Airport CEO oversight
  • Performance monitoring
  • Stakeholder engagement

The Board of Directors for the MSC, will consist of four to six voting public members, the CEO as a voting member, one voting representative from the City of Sarnia Economic Development Department, and one voting member reserved for a representative from Sarnia City Council.

MSC Timeline

The City has targeted a timeline of June 30, 2027 to transition operations of the airport to the MSC, which aligns with the natural expiry of the current operating agreement with Scottsdale Aviation.

Key milestones includes:

  • Winter to spring 2026 - Governance and legal preparations
  • Summer 2026 – Board recruitment
  • Fall 2026 to winter 2027 – Administrative structure design
  • Spring to summer 2027 – Funding and revenue strategy
  • Winter 2027 to June 2027 – Operational planning and transition

Public Input

Public input was sought in January 2026 via a public survey.

At it's May 25, 2026 meeting City Council voted in favor of a business case to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) to govern and operate the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport (YZR). The MSC is being incorporated under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) and will assume full operational responsibility for YZR upon the expiration of the current headlease agreement on June 30, 2027.

The MSC’s primary mandate is to oversee the safe operation of the airport, ensure its long-term financial sustainability, promote growth, and increase its overall economic impact for Sarnia and Lambton County.

Background

In 1997, the City of Sarnia became the owner of the Sarnia Airport, located at 1500 Airport Road. The Airport had previously been owned by the federal government and was operated under contract by Scottsdale Aviation. Scottsdale continued operating the airport after the City took ownership and continues to operate it today.

Passenger service at the Airport ceased in 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, resulting in a significant loss of revenue. The City of Sarnia has funded the operations of the airport since 2021.

The operating agreement with Scottsdale is approaching expiration in in 2027. Sarnia City Council made the decision to proceed down a path of long-term investment and involvement in the airport as of February 2025. The City then engaged Explorer Solutions to make recommendations with respect to the best model for future governance, administrations, operations, and funding of the airport.

In June 2025, Sarnia City Council directed Staff to proceed with the steps required to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) based on the recommended model presented for the future of the airport.

What is an MSC

A MSC is a corporation created by a municipality, and owned by the municipality, to manage specific services or assets – like an airport.

For the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport, an MSC would allow the airport to operate with a level of independence and with enough flexibility to make business decisions efficiently, similar to how a private company operates. The Airport would be governed by a Board of Directors, with some powers delegated to an Airport Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Municipality would retain ownership of the airport and airport lands, and would appoint members of the Board. Certain financial decisions will also continue to be made by the City and annual reporting requirements on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will come to Council

By launching the MSC, the City of Sarnia will:

  • Protect and enhance a critical public asset while improving cost-efficiency.
  • Lay the groundwork for private investment and land development opportunities at the airport
  • Create a specialized governance model that supports growth while remaining publicly accountable.
  • Demonstrate leadership in airport innovation and regional economic stewardship.

Future updates regarding the establishment of the MSC will continue to advance through reports to Sarnia City Council.

Goals of the MSC

The goal of establishing an MSC is to unlock YZR’s full potential as a self-sustaining, strategically-governed transportation and economic asset. Establishing an MSC enables:

  • Local accountability with a focused, mission-driven governance structure that maintains alignment with municipal priorities.
  • Financial sustainability through a business-oriented model capable of generating revenue, attracting private investment, and pursuing grant funding.
  • Operational agility as an organization equipped to make timely decisions, manage leases, and foster partnerships while maintaining regulatory compliance.
  • Economic development as a more effective vehicle to support commercial growth, infrastructure development, and aviation innovation in Sarnia and Lambton County.

Board of Directors

The business case proposes a Board of Directors comprised of five to seven (5-7) members with demonstrated experience and knowledge in:

  • airport operations
  • business operations
  • finance
  • legislation and governance
  • community perspective
  • real estate development
  • investments
  • strategic oversight

The responsibilities of the Board include:

  • Strategic direction
  • Financial oversight
  • Governance
  • Risk management
  • Airport CEO oversight
  • Performance monitoring
  • Stakeholder engagement

The Board of Directors for the MSC, will consist of four to six voting public members, the CEO as a voting member, one voting representative from the City of Sarnia Economic Development Department, and one voting member reserved for a representative from Sarnia City Council.

MSC Timeline

The City has targeted a timeline of June 30, 2027 to transition operations of the airport to the MSC, which aligns with the natural expiry of the current operating agreement with Scottsdale Aviation.

Key milestones includes:

  • Winter to spring 2026 - Governance and legal preparations
  • Summer 2026 – Board recruitment
  • Fall 2026 to winter 2027 – Administrative structure design
  • Spring to summer 2027 – Funding and revenue strategy
  • Winter 2027 to June 2027 – Operational planning and transition

Public Input

Public input was sought in January 2026 via a public survey.

  • MSC Board of Directors Call for Applications

    Share MSC Board of Directors Call for Applications on Facebook Share MSC Board of Directors Call for Applications on Twitter Share MSC Board of Directors Call for Applications on Linkedin Email MSC Board of Directors Call for Applications link

    At it's May 25, 2026 meeting City Council voted in favor of a business case to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) to govern and operate the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport (YZR). The MSC is being incorporated under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) and will assume full operational responsibility for YZR upon the expiration of the current headlease agreement on June 30, 2027.

    The MSC’s primary mandate is to oversee the safe operation of the airport, ensure its long-term financial sustainability, promote growth, and increase its overall economic impact for Sarnia and Lambton County.

    Call for Applications

    The City of Sarnia is seeking four to six members of the public to serve as voting Directors on the MSC Board of Directors. Board Directors will help shape the future of YZR and contribute to the governance of this important regional transportation and economic asset.

    The Board of Directors is “skills-based” and will be comprised of individuals who bring the mix of skills, expertise, and perspective needed to oversee the responsible, progressive operation of the airport while serving the unique and diverse needs of the people and businesses of Sarnia and Lambton County.

    To learn more including how to apply, follow the link below to view the complete call for applications.

    Sarnia Airport Call for Applications - Board of Directors


    At it's May 25, 2026 meeting City Council voted in favor of a business case to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) to govern and operate the Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport (YZR). The MSC is being incorporated under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 (ONCA) and will assume full operational responsibility for YZR upon the expiration of the current headlease agreement on June 30, 2027.

    The MSC’s primary mandate is to oversee the safe operation of the airport, ensure its long-term financial sustainability, promote growth, and increase its overall economic impact for Sarnia and Lambton County.

    Call for Applications

    The City of Sarnia is seeking four to six members of the public to serve as voting Directors on the MSC Board of Directors. Board Directors will help shape the future of YZR and contribute to the governance of this important regional transportation and economic asset.

    The Board of Directors is “skills-based” and will be comprised of individuals who bring the mix of skills, expertise, and perspective needed to oversee the responsible, progressive operation of the airport while serving the unique and diverse needs of the people and businesses of Sarnia and Lambton County.

    To learn more including how to apply, follow the link below to view the complete call for applications.

    Sarnia Airport Call for Applications - Board of Directors


Page last updated: 12 Jun 2026, 09:14 AM