April 2, 2025
Dear AMEs and Skilled Trade Groups at Calm Air, Jazz, JTS, L3 Harris MAS, and WestJet:
As AMFA’s presence in Canada continues to grow, we want to ensure you hear directly from AMFA National about our expansion and what it means for you. This expansion allows you to take control of your own future as AMEs and skilled trade professionals. We are pleased to announce a historic milestone: As of April 2, 2025, AMFA has officially chartered its first Canadian local—Local 605. This is a significant achievement for our craft-specific trade union and a testament to the dedication of AMFA members in Canada.
Over the past months, AMFA National has diligently been managing the transition for our newly added membership. We have conducted interviews for interim officers to assist in launching Local 605 in Toronto. We’ve also held multiple meetings and established essential administrative processes, including banking and operational logistics. Nominations and elections for Airline Representatives at Calm Air concluded last month, while those for Jazz Line and JTS are underway. Additionally, contract proposal discussions for Calm Air, Jazz Line, and JTS are ongoing and are expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
Introducing the Interim Local 605 Officers:
- Local President: Matt Finnemore
780-803-2289 | pebble23@hotmail.com
- Local Vice President: Surinder Jhalli
778-708-8421 | spjhalli1998@gmail.com
- Local Secretary: Elizabeth Dugan
902-817-9013 | elizabeth.dugan@icloud.com
- Local Treasurer: Jeremy Loney
902-237-9922 | jeremy_d_loney@hotmail.com
- Local Safety & Standards Chairman: Cooper Dahr
613-661-9181 | cooper.dalr24@hotmail.com
We extend our sincere gratitude to all who stepped up and participated in the interview process for these interim positions. In the coming weeks, we will conduct nominations and elections for Local 605 Officer positions, with terms lasting up to three years to get on the normal election cycle.
AMFA is proud to lead our trade-specific union and establish a strong foundation for Local 605. This marks a monumental event in our commitment to representing and advocating for aviation maintenance professionals in Canada.
We recognize and appreciate your impact on this profession—your dedication to safety and excellence in aircraft maintenance is essential to the success of aviation operations. Your expertise directly affects the lives of crew members and the traveling public. AMFA’s motto, “Safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground,” reflects our core belief in the critical nature of your work. Our mission is to ensure you receive the recognition you deserve, from your employers and the general public, for your vital contributions to aviation safety.
We ask that you actively engage in our movement across Canada so that AMEs and skilled trade groups will finally be given the international respect, recognition, and support that they deserve.
You may be asking why “605” is the assigned number of the Local. This number is derived from CAR 605.85, which remains significant to the AMEs and the flying community as the standard for certifying the airworthiness of flight is maintained by licensed skilled AMEs.
Congratulations on the establishment of Local 605! We look forward to working together to elevate industry standards because, as the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
On Behalf of the NEC,
Bret Oestreich
National President
