Hope Air Announces New Partnership with AltaGas to Support Patients in Northern British Columbia
PRINCE RUPERT, BC (June 10, 2025) – Hope Air is proud to announce a new partnership with AltaGas, a leading North American energy infrastructure company, to support the delivery of vital medical travel assistance to patients in Northern British Columbia. Through this partnership, AltaGas will provide critical funding for Hope Air’s British Columbia Travel Program, with a special focus on supporting patients from Prince Rupert who must travel long distances to access essential medical care.
AltaGas’ commitment to building healthy and safe communities is rooted in their belief that strengthening the regions where they live and work benefits everyone. The company operates in diverse and often remote communities across Canada and the U.S. and understands that each one faces its own set of challenges. Through their community investment strategy, AltaGas aims to deliver high-impact support where it’s needed most.
“We recognize that people living in remote and rural communities in British Columbia often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare,” said Signi Solmundson, Manager, Indigenous & Community Relations, AltaGas. “By partnering with Hope Air, we are helping reduce those barriers and improve the health and well-being of people in communities like Prince Rupert.”
Hope Air provides free flights, accommodations, and travel support for Canadians in financial need who must travel far from home for medical care. For patients like Trista, a 31-year-old single mother living in the Indigenous community of Lax Kw’alaams near Prince Rupert, this support has been life-changing.
Trista, who works as an educational assistant, was diagnosed with debilitating digestive issues that severely impacted her ability to work and care for her daughter. Both she and her young child need to travel over 1,500 kilometres monthly to receive care in Vancouver and Prince George.
“I have a 3-year-old toddler who has her own medical issues, and I am grateful to work with Hope Air as well for her,” Trista shared.
Trista describes the emotional and financial toll of the travel: long drives, late-night departures to catch ferries, and the strain of managing her daughter’s health while battling her own. “Without Hope Air, I would have been left in significant debt, struggling alone to manage our medical needs,” she said. “I’m a single mom doing this on my own with very minimal support. Hope Air was so helpful.”
Mark Rubinstein, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Air, emphasized the significance of the partnership with AltaGas: “Our work is only possible through the generous support of partners like AltaGas, who recognize the urgent need for accessible healthcare in remote communities. Together, we are closing the gap for patients in Northern B.C., ensuring they can reach the care they need without being burdened by impossible travel costs.”
About Hope Air: Hope Air is the Canadian national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians who must travel far from home to reach medical care. We believe that where you live should not determine if you live. Hope Air relies on partnerships with hospitals, donors, volunteers, and the medical community to ensure that every Canadian has access to care. Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients across 550 Canadian communities. For more information about Hope Air’s programs or to request assistance, visit www.hopeair.ca. Media Contact: Jodi Lumsden Director Marketing & Communications jlumsden@hopeair.ca
AltaGas’ commitment to building healthy and safe communities is rooted in their belief that strengthening the regions where they live and work benefits everyone. The company operates in diverse and often remote communities across Canada and the U.S. and understands that each one faces its own set of challenges. Through their community investment strategy, AltaGas aims to deliver high-impact support where it’s needed most.
“We recognize that people living in remote and rural communities in British Columbia often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare,” said Signi Solmundson, Manager, Indigenous & Community Relations, AltaGas. “By partnering with Hope Air, we are helping reduce those barriers and improve the health and well-being of people in communities like Prince Rupert.”
Hope Air provides free flights, accommodations, and travel support for Canadians in financial need who must travel far from home for medical care. For patients like Trista, a 31-year-old single mother living in the Indigenous community of Lax Kw’alaams near Prince Rupert, this support has been life-changing.
Trista, who works as an educational assistant, was diagnosed with debilitating digestive issues that severely impacted her ability to work and care for her daughter. Both she and her young child need to travel over 1,500 kilometres monthly to receive care in Vancouver and Prince George.
“I have a 3-year-old toddler who has her own medical issues, and I am grateful to work with Hope Air as well for her,” Trista shared.
Trista describes the emotional and financial toll of the travel: long drives, late-night departures to catch ferries, and the strain of managing her daughter’s health while battling her own. “Without Hope Air, I would have been left in significant debt, struggling alone to manage our medical needs,” she said. “I’m a single mom doing this on my own with very minimal support. Hope Air was so helpful.”
Mark Rubinstein, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Air, emphasized the significance of the partnership with AltaGas: “Our work is only possible through the generous support of partners like AltaGas, who recognize the urgent need for accessible healthcare in remote communities. Together, we are closing the gap for patients in Northern B.C., ensuring they can reach the care they need without being burdened by impossible travel costs.”
About Hope Air: Hope Air is the Canadian national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians who must travel far from home to reach medical care. We believe that where you live should not determine if you live. Hope Air relies on partnerships with hospitals, donors, volunteers, and the medical community to ensure that every Canadian has access to care. Since its founding in 1986, Hope Air has arranged over 235,980 travel arrangements for more than 25,000 patients across 550 Canadian communities. For more information about Hope Air’s programs or to request assistance, visit www.hopeair.ca. Media Contact: Jodi Lumsden Director Marketing & Communications jlumsden@hopeair.ca