YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwire - Oct. 31, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this Press Release.

NorTerra Inc. President & CEO, Mark Gardhouse, and Canadian North President, Tracy Medve, announced today that Ms. Medve intends to step down from her role as President, effective December 31, 2012. Mr. Gardhouse has confirmed that Steve Hankirk, presently the Vice President, Operations, Charters and Cargo, has been appointed to the role of President upon Ms. Medve's departure.

"The Board and I want to thank Tracy for her five years of service as President and for her prior involvement with Canadian North in a consulting capacity dating back to 1998 when NorTerra first acquired Canadian North," says Mark Gardhouse. "She has led the company through turbulent economic times and periods of growth, positioning the airline as a prominent and respected provider of both scheduled and charter air services throughout the North and across Canada. We wish her the best and appreciate her commitment to continue in her role until the end of the year."

"It's been a remarkable five years and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have led such an excellent company in this interesting and challenging industry. A decision like this is never easy, but I believe it is the right time for me to make this move. I leave behind a very strong and talented management team, fully able to execute the company's strategy and continue on the path of expansion, diversification and fleet modernization," states Ms. Medve.

Steve Hankirk has been with Canadian North since July 2001 and started with the airline in the capacity of Director, Flight Operations. He brings over twenty-five years of industry experience and expertise through his tenure with Canadian Regional Airlines and his career with Canadian North.

About Canadian North

Canadian North and its founding companies (Canadian Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines, Transair, Nordair) have proudly served Canada's North with passenger and cargo services for more than 80 years. They offer flights to Northwest Territories and flights to Nunavut through their southern gateways of Edmonton and Ottawa, as well as to select destinations in Manitoba and Nunavut through their partnership with Calm Air. Canadian North also offers air charter services within and beyond the North for industrial clients, sports teams, and large groups. Canadian North is a member of the NorTerra Group of Companies whose parent corporation, NorTerra Inc., is owned equally by Nunasi Corporation, representing the Inuit of Nunavut; and the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, representing the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic.

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