Exploring the CBO Journey
In 2025, Canadian Base Operators proudly celebrated 30 years of serving clients across Canada’s defence, aviation, critical infrastructure, and facilities management sectors.
While the milestone marked three decades of achievement, it also provided an opportunity to reflect on how far the company has come and where it is headed next.
Since 1995, CBO has built a reputation for delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality services in some of Canada’s most complex and demanding environments. CBO is a wholly owned, 100% Canadian subsidiary of Black & McDonald Limited (B&M). From military training centres and airfields to remote northern locations and critical infrastructure sites, our teams operate where reliability, responsiveness, and operational excellence matter most.
Today, with more than three decades of experience behind us, our focus remains on continuous improvement, strong partnerships, and supporting the people and organizations that help keep Canada operational, prepared, and connected.
Building a National Presence
What began with support services at the Army Training Centre – Central in Meaford, Ontario has evolved into a national operation delivering facilities maintenance, operational support, aviation services, emergency response capabilities, logistics, and infrastructure services across Canada.
Over the past three decades, CBO has supported a wide range of significant operations and facilities, including:
- Army Training Centre – Central (Meaford)
- Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) – Southport Aerospace Centre
- NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) Moose Jaw
- Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) – Southport, Moose Jaw, Winnipeg
- British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS)
- Canadian Forces Station Alert
- The North Warning System, supporting more than 50 locations across the Canadian Arctic
- Suncor Firebag Airport (Fort MacKay, Alberta)
- Numerous other airports, aerodromes, defence installations, and remote operational sites across the country
These experiences have enabled CBO to develop extensive expertise in defence support, aviation services, facilities management, remote logistics, operational readiness, and critical infrastructure operations.
CBO has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its clients. From traditional facilities maintenance and logistics support to integrated aviation services, emergency response capabilities, airfield operations, and complex remote-site support, CBO has expanded its expertise while maintaining a focus on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Supporting Defence and Aviation Operations
For more than three decades, CBO has supported some of Canada’s most important defence and aviation activities through a broad range of operational and facilities management services.
Our capabilities include:
- Facilities Management and Operations
- Airfield Maintenance
- Airfield Electrical Services
- Airport Operations Support
- Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
- Snow and Ice Control
- Logistics and Supply Services
- Site Support Services
- Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair
Most recently, CBO entered a new chapter through its long-term participation in Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, helping support the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots and aircrew.
As Canada’s defence and aviation sectors continue to evolve, CBO remains committed to delivering dependable support services that contribute to operational success.
Delivering Excellence in Challenging Environments
One of the characteristics that sets CBO apart is our ability to successfully operate in complex and challenging environments.
Our teams support essential operations where safety, planning, logistics, technical expertise, and operational reliability are critical to project success. Working across diverse sectors and operating conditions, we consistently deliver solutions that meet the unique requirements of each client and location. This capability has been demonstrated across some of Canada’s most demanding operational sites, including Canadian Forces Station Alert, more than 50 North Warning System locations across the Canadian Arctic, military training facilities, aviation operations, and remote industrial locations.
Whether maintaining critical infrastructure, supporting aviation operations, managing facilities, providing emergency response services, or sustaining remote assets, CBO employees take pride in delivering dependable service every day.
These experiences have helped shape a culture built on adaptability, accountability, technical expertise, and client service.
Growing Through Indigenous Partnerships
A key part of CBO’s growth story has been the development of meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities across Canada.
Together with Black & McDonald, CBO has maintained a long-standing commitment to working alongside Indigenous nations through partnerships focused on employment, skills development, economic growth, and long-term community success.
One of the most significant examples is Acden Base Operators (ABO), an Indigenous partnership established between CBO and Acden, which is owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
Combining CBO’s expertise in aviation, facilities management, and operational support with Acden’s extensive experience serving Alberta’s industrial sector, ABO represents a successful model for collaboration and shared growth.
Through this partnership, ABO secured a major airport services contract at Suncor’s Firebag Airport, a critical aviation hub supporting one of Canada’s largest industrial operations. Delivering services in this remote northern environment requires exceptional safety performance, operational reliability, logistical coordination, and aviation expertise.
The success of ABO demonstrates how strong Indigenous partnerships create meaningful opportunities while delivering high-value services to clients operating in complex environments. Beyond operational success, ABO also supports the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation through community initiatives, including contributions that help fund post-secondary education opportunities for community members.
In addition to ABO, CBO continues to grow and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada, including:
- Whitecap Base Operators (WBO)
- Dakota Plains Base Operators (DPBO)
- Baffin Base Operators (BBO)
- Kalluk Base Operators (KBO)
- Emish Limited Partnership
- Morningstar Services
- Infinity Generation Services
- Willow Cree Project Services
These relationships are built on respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating sustainable opportunities within the communities where we operate.
In 2024, Black & McDonald and CBO exceeded $125 million in direct sales with Indigenous companies, reflecting a strong commitment to supplier diversity, Indigenous participation, and long-term economic development.
As these partnerships continue to grow, they remain an important part of our future.
Supporting the Communities Where We Live and Work
At CBO, being a good partner extends beyond the services we deliver. We are committed to making meaningful contributions to the communities where our employees live and work.
Across Canada, our teams support local initiatives through volunteerism, fundraising efforts, sponsorships, charitable activities, and community partnerships. Whether supporting military communities, Indigenous partners, local organizations, youth initiatives, or community improvement projects, CBO employees take pride in making a positive impact beyond the workplace.
Community involvement is an important part of our culture and reflects the values that have guided our organization for more than 30 years. In 2026, CBO proudly hosted Black & McDonald’s 28th Annual National Hockey Tournament, helping raise more than $30,000 for local hospices. Our employees also support youth development initiatives, community programs, charitable organizations, and local sports programs across the country.
These efforts reflect the same principles that guide our operations every day: teamwork, respect, accountability, and service.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to building lasting relationships and making meaningful contributions in the communities we are privileged to serve.
Safety and Quality at the Core
Safety and quality have always been fundamental to how CBO operates.
Our employees work in environments where attention to detail, planning, risk management, and procedural compliance are essential. Through established Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) programs, quality management systems, ongoing training, and continuous improvement initiatives, we strive to ensure every employee returns home safely while maintaining the highest standards of service delivery.
Our approach is built upon:
- Strong safety leadership
- Continuous risk assessment and mitigation
- Employee development, training, and certification
- Quality management and performance measurement
- Preventive and reliability-focused maintenance practices
- Accountability and continuous improvement
These principles help guide every aspect of our operations, from military installations and airports to remote northern sites and industrial facilities.
Our commitment to safety has been recognized across the industry. In 2025, CBO was honoured with the 2024 Andre Benard Gold Award for Safety Excellence, reflecting the dedication of our employees and the strength of our safety culture. Through a proactive approach to health and safety, CBO achieved a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of zero in both 2020 and 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of our safety programs and our commitment to ensuring every employee goes home safe every day.
Our goal remains simple:
Safe. Reliable. Quality Service Delivery.
Powered by Our People
The success of Canadian Base Operators over the past 30 years has been driven by the dedication, professionalism, and expertise of our people.
Across Canada, our employees support operations at military installations, airports, aerodromes, northern sites, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure projects that are essential to our clients’ success.
From skilled tradespeople, firefighters, operators, mechanics, technicians, cooks, and supply personnel to supervisors, managers, administrators, and corporate support teams, every individual plays an important role in delivering the services that define our reputation.
Their commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, community involvement, innovation, and customer service continues to define who we are today.
Looking Ahead
As CBO enters its fourth decade, we remain focused on growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
We will continue expanding our support to:
- Defence and training operations
- Aviation support services
- Airports and aerodromes
- Remote northern operations
- Critical infrastructure projects
- Indigenous partnerships and community engagement initiatives
At the same time, we will continue investing in our people, strengthening our safety culture, advancing quality-driven processes, embracing new technologies, and delivering best-value solutions for our clients across Canada. Backed by Black & McDonald, CBO is well positioned to continue meeting the evolving needs of clients across the country.
While much has changed since 1995, our commitment remains the same.
Delivering dependable solutions wherever our clients need us most. For more than 30 years, Canadian Base Operators has helped clients operate efficiently in Canada’s most demanding environments. Our teams take pride in delivering the services that keep facilities operational and missions moving forward.
We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past three decades and remain focused on supporting our clients wherever their missions take them.
The Journey Continues.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT CBO
Explore the pages below to learn more about Canadian Base Operators, our values, our commitment to excellence, and the experience that has shaped our organization for more than 30 years.
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