2023 was a year of successful events and important achievements for Canadian Base Operators. Before we move forward with the new year ahead of us, a look back at 2023 truly is a celebration of our employees, our clients, and our nation.
In 2023, CBO was honoured to attend ceremonies and conferences and to participate in family events and tournaments. We readily took on volunteer projects and answered the call for support with charitable initiatives. Thank you to our public and private sector clients, community leaders and non-profit organizations for depending on us for services. Here are a few of our highlights from 2023.
Community Involvement
CBO employees continued to demonstrate their commitment to the communities in which they work. Much pride and joy went into participating in a variety of events that brought people together and extended our company’s presence beyond the workplace.
- Black & McDonald Centennial Scholarships
- B&M Centennial Scholarships help employees’ dependents pursue their post-secondary education dreams. Overall, 21 applicants were selected and awarded $3,000 each, which included dependents of CBO employees.
- 4th Canadian Division Training Centre (4CDTC), Meaford, ON
- Due to a local emergency, a ‘do not consume’ advisory occurred. CBO purchased bottled water for the community and CBO staff volunteered with distribution of the water at the community centre.
- Canada Road Safety Week participation was a success. 2023’s campaign theme was “Take the Wheel”, focusing on the elimination of impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving without a seatbelt.
- A donation to Grey Bruce Animal Shelter was made with proceeds from the annual employee appreciation BBQ 50/50 draw.
- Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS), Southport Aerospace Centre, MB
- Our Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) crew member, Mike Sudak, also a volunteer Fire Fighter, received special recognition for responding during a tragic and fatal highway incident near his home community.
- CBO continued its sponsorship of Eagle’s Wings Flight School, the Portage la Prairie organization offering aviation opportunities for Indigenous youth, by contributing $7,500 toward the BushCat program.
- As a bowling lane sponsor, the CBO company logo was proudly displayed at Southport Bowl, part of a recreation facility that promotes a healthy work-life balance.
- NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC), 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK
- CBO employees participated in the fifth annual Green Shirt Day in support of organ donor awareness/registration across Canada.
- Organized by Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) staff for families of CAF members, the Touch-a-Truck event we participated in gave kids the chance to explores a ‘Red-7’, a 2017 Oshkosh Crash-Rescue ARFF Truck.
- British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), CFB Suffield, AB
- CBO employees donated time and materials to Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 6 in nearby Redcliff to perform much-needed plumbing repairs – helping the Legion with preparations to celebrate its centennial in 2026.
- Suncor Firebag Airport, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, AB
- Acden Base Operators (ABO) supplied paint for the beautiful mural unveiled at the Suncor Firebag Airport. The mural, painted on the 60’ by 40’ outside wall of the firehall, was created by Keegan Starlight, an artist from Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary. The project was commissioned by Suncor to help strengthen its relationships with Indigenous communities in the region and give the over 300,000 passengers a year, who fly in and fly out of Firebag Airport, something meaningful to reflect on. Additionally, ABO supplied paint for the art workshops Keegan Starlight hosted in both Fort Chipewyan and Fort McKay, and donated return flights from Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray for travel home.
Employee Appreciation, Training and Development
CBO employees continued to remain dedicated in their commitment to personal enrichment and skill development. With that, CBO management sought occasions to recognize and reward employees for their professional achievements and dedication to a culture of continuous improvement.
- Veterans Q&A Spotlight
- Leading up to Remembrance Day, along with a special B&M presentation commemorating ‘50 Years of Serving Those Who Serve’, CBO paid special tribute to our employees who are military veterans. Our Veterans Question & Answer Spotlight showcased the integral contribution to CBO these individuals make and allowed us to personally thank them for their service.
- B&M Annual Hockey Tournament/Fundraising Event
- 12 teams from across Canada competed in the B&M 25th anniversary tournament, with the CBO team winning two games.
- Over $10,000 was raised for ‘Do It For Daron’ (DIFD). Through the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, DIFD donations support education, awareness, and research that encourages young people to talk openly about mental illness and to ask for help when needed. $4,000 was raised for the Blackstone Association, a group of past and present military veterans who provide peer support, financial assistance, career transitions, and other support for its members.
- Site Activities
- As an employer, Canadian Base Operators is committed to offering our employees a safe and enriching work environment. Site activities included monthly ‘Face of’ employee recognition at our BATUS and Suncor Firebag Airport sites, BBQs, golf tournaments, Christmas lunches and games, and a ‘good catch’ program, all which support our company culture of inclusivity and quality work.
- Employee Training
- With the support of B&M IT and our clients, everyone continues to keep current with training compliance, including HSE, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and cybersecurity.
- At 4CDTC Meaford, CBO critical Emergency Response Team training was conducted to prepare for wildland fire readiness.
- Apprenticeships/Mentoring Programs
- CBO sponsored six skilled trade apprenticeships at our sites in 2023.
- Supporting workforce development, including providing mentorship opportunities for skilled trades, is a vital component of our operations.
Indigenous Engagement
CBO continued to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Businesses across Canada by promoting our philosophy of long-term opportunity and bringing best value to Indigenous communities. We expanded our Indigenous participation by pursuing Indigenous engagement and recruitment/hiring opportunities. With the support of Human Resources, our organization ensures corporate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities are met among our workforce.
- Acden Base Operators (CBO’s limited partnership with Acden Operations Ltd.) was represented with Acden at the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association’s Aboriginal Business Showcase at Fort McMurray, AB.
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day were observed at our sites across Canada showing our solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
- Our commitment to Indigenous engagement continues to prioritize local Indigenous suppliers.
New Projects
CBO Business Development was busy pursuing new Facilities Management and Operations proposal opportunities, placing emphasis on collaboration, competitiveness, and creativity. Aiming to exceed CBO’s planned growth targets, successful bids have led to exciting projects awards, such as:
- NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC), 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK
- The initial contract year got underway for our work to provide site support services. CBO teamed with Serco Canada in delivering industry-leading facility management and operations solutions to the NFTC program. Managed by CAE, NFTC is a comprehensive pilot training program that benefits the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and NATO ally forces.
- Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program
- CBO is proud to be a member of the SkyAlyne Team as a strategic subcontractor. SkyAlyne is the partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace and was selected by the Government of Canada as the preferred bidder for the new and upcoming RCAF training program for military pilots and aircrew. The program will operate out of Winnipeg, MB, Southport, MB, and 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK.
Looking back at 2023 inspires us to look forward to 2024 and the pursuit of new opportunities for success. CBO will continue our work in support of essential infrastructure and stronger communities; not just because it is asked of us, but because we believe in it.
CBO, our affiliates, and partners would like to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year!
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