TransCanada forms partnership with Hope Air

The Coastal GasLink pipeline project and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission and have each donated $5,000 to Hope Air, a Canadian charity that arranges free flights for those who need to travel for medical reasons, but who face financial and distance barriers to get the care they need.“This donation will clear away some of the worry, distress and extra cost of travelling long distances for medical treatment that so many people who live in remote communities face. This is a program that changes lives, and we are proud to be involved with them,” said Bruce Wells, Director, Planning & Execution, Coastal GasLink.

“Hope Air has done amazing work over the last 27 years to bridge the gap between home and hospital for thousands of children and adults. We are proud to be able to support Hope Air with our corporate donation,” said Chris Pezoulas, Director, Planning & Execution, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission.

TransCanada’s partnership with Hope Air allows them to increase their flight capacity from Prince George, Terrace, Smithers, Prince Rupert, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. TransCanada’s donation will allow Hope Air to arrange 45 flights for residents from in and around these B.C. communities who must travel to larger urban centres for health care.

“Some of Hope Air’s busiest routes fly out of airports in B.C. The Prince George-Vancouver route is Hope Air’s second busiest route in Canada. This partnership will help us provide more flights from locations in Northern British Columbia, allowing us to assist even more Canadians in getting to health care which is not available in their home communities,” said Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director, Hope Air. “We thank TransCanada for their generous support and their dedication to the health and well-being of British Columbians.”

Since 1986, Hope Air has arranged more than 78,000 flights for Canadians travelling to major cities for medical treatment. The charity is able to achieve this through an airline donation program – where Canada’s commercial airlines donate seats; a volunteer pilot program, where private pilots donate their time; and a program that allows individuals, foundations and corporations to donate funds that allow Hope Air to purchase flights.

Coastal GasLink and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission have proposed pipeline projects that would carry natural gas from northeastern B.C. to liquefied natural gas conversion and export facilities proposed to be built near Kitimat (Coastal GasLink) and Prince Rupert (Prince Rupert Gas Transmission). For more information about each project, go to www.coastalgaslink.com and www.princerupertgas.com.