Mayor Mike Bradley wants to move forward with the original plan of establishing a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) to propel Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport forward.
Council will be asked on Monday to direct staff on the future operating, governance, administration, and funding model for the airport, based on options provided by Explorer Solutions, a research and consulting firm.
The MSC, which was the recommended model, was approved by council in June 2025. But the decision was reconsidered during last month's council meeting after concerns were raised about the cost of hiring a chief executive officer and board of directors.
"The position we took last year, I thought was the right one," said Bradley. "Yes, there are costs to it but if we want to get the airport back on track, then we're going to have to put some sweat equity in there and recognize that it needs an investment and it needs credible leadership."
The mayor also said the city can't continue to subsidize the airport without trying to bring in other income sources.
"There are great possibilities there with economic development. We are working with Air Canada on intermodal traffic from that airport," he said. "This was the model we adopted last June. I would hope we'd go back to it or a variation of that. We keep it apolitical and let the people who know the business run the business."
So far, the city has spent over $100,000 in consulting and legal fees, and further costs are anticipated.
"I am concerned about the cost incurred and the future costs, however, the do nothing approach -- or putting it to a committee of council or some other party -- isn't going to work," Bradley said.
A notice of motion from Councillor Terry Burrell asks that he and Councillors Adam Kilner and Chrissy McRoberts be appointed to a committee to investigate and develop a way forward for the airport, with the intention of reporting back by the June meeting.
While Bradley didn't explicitly say he wouldn't support Burrell's motion, he reiterated, "I do not believe that a committee of council is the answer."
"The expertise isn't there, and I include myself in that. The reason we picked this other model was we'd bring in people who have the expertise to run the airport and then move it forward, and to judge them accordingly over the next three to five years," Bradley said. "At that point in time, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work." Staff also said in its report a committee concept would not be the most efficient method for reaching a decision based on time constraints.
The city is working against a deadline, as the headlease with Scottsdale Aviation is set to expire in 16 months.
Once an operating structure is chosen, staff will start working on an implementation plan.
Council unanimously agreed to invest in the airport last year.
