LABRADOR CITY and SEPT-ÎLES, Canada - Rio Tinto Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) has contributed $50,000 to Hope Air, Canada's national charity that provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians who must travel long distances to access essential medical care.
This donation will directly benefit residents of Labrador West in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Sept-Îles in Quebec, two remote regions where Rio Tinto IOC operates. In 2024 alone, Hope Air provided 104 travel arrangements for patients from Labrador West and 116 flights for patients from Sept-Îles, connecting families with life-saving medical care far from home.
This support comes through Rio Tinto IOC's Social Investment Fund, which supports community wellbeing, resilience, and access to local services and social infrastructure. Hope Air's mission to remove distance as a barrier to accessing healthcare aligns closely with this vision.
"Rio Tinto IOC is proud to support the communities where we operate, ensuring the value we create extends beyond our sites," said Mike McCann, President and CEO of Rio Tinto IOC. "Through our Social Investment Fund, we are glad to support Hope Air's work in reducing the travel burden faced by patients and families in remote regions. As a company operating in Northern communities, we recognize the importance of supporting equitable access to essential healthcare."
For Stephanie, a single mother in Labrador City, Hope Air has been a lifeline. Her son Zayn must travel to the Janeway Children's Hospital in St. John's for ongoing care to treat cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions. "If it were not for Hope Air, I would have started selling my household items," said Stephanie. "There are single parents making bare minimum trying to get by, and when you get sprung with a health issue, it is a scramble to find the funds. But if they know about Hope Air, it will ease their mind. It is a huge weight off your shoulders because your child is going to get the care they need."
In Sept-Îles, Nicole, mother of 8-year-old Hope Air patient Vincent, knows firsthand how vital Hope Air is for Vincent's care. Vincent faces complex health issues requiring regular visits to Quebec City, an eight-hour drive each way. "I'm a single mother of five," said Nicole. "Hope Air helps not only on the financial side, but also on the organization side, and allows me to be back to my family quicker."
Hope Air CEO Mark Rubinstein expressed deep gratitude for Rio Tinto IOC's support. "This investment is more than a donation, it's a statement that patients of Labrador West and Sept-Îles matter, and their access to care should not depend on where they live. We are proud to work with partners who share our belief in healthcare equity for all."
Through partnerships like this, Hope Air continues to bridge distances and offer dignity and relief to families who face the dual burden of illness and isolation.
About Hope Air
Hope Air is Canada's national charity providing free travel and accommodations for low-income Canadians who must travel far from home for medical care. Since 1986, Hope Air has arranged over 235,000 travel supports for patients in financial need across 640 communities, helping to ensure all Canadians can access healthcare, regardless of where they live.
