Before becoming Brampton’s MP in 1979, John McDermid had variety of jobs, including a radio and television announcer and the manager of public relations for Ontario Place. One of the more surprising credits to his name? Helping to found an airline, Pem-Air.

Located between Ottawa and Algonquin Park, much of Pembroke’s industry is dependent on its accessibility by airplane. During the 1960s, a local airline was quite busy, flying representatives from the Atomic Energy Commission, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, and local industry to the community. Eventually the airline added less profitable routes, leading them to cease operation.

“A bunch of little people” created their own new company, according to one of the other co-founders, with “their little dollars.” Of Pem-Air’s 21 shareholders, only John McDermid wasn’t a local.

The company flew between Pearson Airport and Pembroke until 2001. McDermid sold his shares in 1978, when he received the Progressive Conservative nomination for Brampton-Georgetown.