News release

Province Invests in Chorus Aviation, Helps Protect, Create Jobs

Premier's Office

Jazz Aviation LP, a subsidiary of Chorus Aviation, is expanding its Nova Scotia operations and creating new jobs, supported by an investment from the province.

Premier Darrell Dexter today, July 16, announced provincial support to help Jazz expand its heavy maintenance facilities in Nova Scotia, creating 150 new jobs in maintenance, management, administrative, and technical support, and protecting hundreds of existing positions.

"Jazz's decision to expand its operations in Nova Scotia reinforces that this province is a great place to live, work and raise a family," said Premier Dexter. "Today, the province is helping Jazz create and maintain hundreds of good jobs in Nova Scotia. It is another example of how this government is growing the province's economy and helping to create jobs that Nova Scotians can count on."

Jazz will renovate its Halifax airport location to expand the systems operations control centre and heavy maintenance base in Nova Scotia. The company will also buy a new head office building.

The provincial investment includes a $2.5-million forgivable loan, based on employment targets, and a $2-million employee incentive to recruit, train and develop new employees or to upgrade the skills of current employees.

Over a five-year period, the investment is expected to generate about $11 million in revenue from the jobs created and protected.
The province is also providing a $12-million interest-bearing, repayable loan.

"Nova Scotia has a competitive advantage, and is an ideal location for national and international companies to do business. Jazz's decision drives that home," said Premier Dexter. "These kinds of investments line up with jobsHere, and strengthen Nova Scotia's economy by creating good, high-value jobs and helping companies become even more competitive."

Jazz operates more than 860 daily flights to 84 destinations in North America on behalf of Air Canada under the Air Canada Express brand. Jazz employs 720 people in Halifax, and has more than 5,000 employees across Canada. It is one of the world's largest regional airlines and is the largest operator of Dash 8 aircraft.

"With the support of the province of Nova Scotia, we will significantly expand our heavy maintenance hangar, convert our administrative building into a world-class operations centre and establish a new corporate headquarters," said Joe Randell, president and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus. "This is part of our overall strategic plan to increase our efficiency and cost competitiveness, thereby improving our operating economics and delivering more value to our stakeholders."

The province's investment is from the Nova Scotia Jobs Fund, which pursues investment opportunities for communities in transition, industry sectors, regional support, small businesses programs, infrastructure and large industrial ventures.