Harvey Friesen

Born in Rosethern, Saskatchewan, in March 1948, Harvey Friesen’s love for flying began in high school. Suitably enamoured, he set his sights on the aviation industry by becoming commercial pilot. Every penny he earned went into flying lessons, and in a few short years, with the industry beckoning, Harvey and his career took off with Bearskin. It was then a small air charter operating float and ski equipped aircraft to provide service to remote Indigenous people’s communities in Northwestern Ontario. Over the next few years, having accumulated flying hours and some savings, he began to take an interest in the business’ operations. Harvey acquired a fifty percent share in 1972 and five years later he was installed as President and CEO.

As Bearskin’s scheduled flights expanded from between Big Trout Lake and Sioux Lookout he could often be seen in the cockpit, doing what he loved best: flying. Yet, Harvey soon appreciated that he needed to delegate and so, where the left seat was concerned, he became an enthusiastic recreational pilot.

In 1968, the Government of Ontario initiated a ‘highways in the sky’ program, building gravel airstrips in remote northern communities, making them accessible year-round. The popular program expanded rapidly. Harvey seized the opportunity and Bearskin expanded along with it, shifting from bush planes to wheeled commercial aircraft, its planes now operating further afield, including to Thunder Bay, Kenora, Winnipeg, and beyond.

A team that came to include Karl Friesen (no relation), his brother Cliff, followed later by Rick Baratta, and Brad Martin also began to coalesce at the Bear, as the airline became affectionately known. Some twenty years after Harvey took over the company, this team meant that the Bear could provide scheduled service to all of northern Ontario’s major cities and into northern Manitoba.

The Bear had more than 400 employees by the early 2000s, was flying over 200 flights daily, and operating a fleet of 22 aircraft ranging from Fairchild Metroliners to Beech 99's and King Air aircraft. It came as a surprise to many when the company changed direction and sold its northern operations in 2003. By rationalizing equipment, staff, and its markets, the team at the reconfigured company could focus intently on being a successful and profitable regional carrier. The strategy worked: in 2013, the Bear celebrated its 50th Anniversary and was recognized as one of Canada's most successful regional commuter carriers – a testament to Harvey and his team’s talent and shrewd business acumen.

Bearskin's success rests partly on the commitment of Harvey and his team to their community. Serving northern Ontario was always important to Harvey, who took great pride in Bearskin's community involvement. Although best known as the president his airline, his business and community activities went far beyond that. The Mayor of Sioux Lookout observed in 2015 that Harvey's interests were extensive, ranging from hotels, to the development of residential properties, to the support of local sports teams, to say nothing of his quiet philanthropy or his abilities as a fundraiser extraordinaire. Indeed, thousands flew gratis on the Bear and the Mayor went on to note that “There is nobody in this town that wasn’t touched by what Harvey has done in his 30 plus years in the community.”

For Harvey, a lack of financial means was no reason to limit anyone from receiving the health care they need. From 1988 onward, Bearskin has thus been a major provider of flights for Hope Air, a national charity that organizes free, non-emergency medical flights for people in financial need outside of their home territory, particularly from remote communities. In 2010, Hope Air presented its first ever Outstanding Philanthropist Award to Bearskin Airlines and the Bear continues to be one of Hope Air’s most significant contributors.

In 1999, the company hosted the first Annual Bearskin Airlines Charity Golf Classics in four of its communities. This series of events and other fund-raising efforts spearheaded by Harvey have since raised over $1.5 million for various local charities, including The United Way of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Foundation, the Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital, and the Sioux Lookout General Hospital.

The Bearskin Airlines Hope Classic, a women’s curling bonspiel, has raised close to $3 million for the fight against breast cancer. The Bearskin Airlines Skip to Equip Classic for women raises tens of thousands of dollars per year for worthy Northern Ontario Health Agency causes.

Harvey was particularly proud to be involved with Northern Ontario’s major business events. These include the Northern Ontario Business Awards and the Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards. He was also a founding member of the Nishnawbe-Aski Development Fund Business Awards. All recognize the accomplishments of the business community and continue to encourage business development in the north.

Amateur sport is another of the Bear’s benefactors. The OCN Blizzards, the Flin Flon Bombers, the Sudbury Wolves, the Westford Maroons, the Fort Frances Lakers, and the Dryden Ice Dogs are just some of the amateur hockey teams that Harvey and his airline have supported over the years. Recognizing the ongoing importance of such contributions, the Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport presented a Corporate Sport Citation to Harvey for Bearskin in the spring of 2011. Bearskin Airlines has also been a long-time supporter of Skate Canada, Northern Ontario, providing sponsorship and discounted airfare for judges and officials of Skate Canada events.

Bearskin Airlines has been equally supportive of the arts and Harvey has assisted the North of Superior Film Association’s North West Film fest since its inception over twenty years ago. Bearskin is also involved with the Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival and is a sponsor of the Bay Street and Biindiaate Indigenous film festivals.

At the heart of his longstanding commitment to aviation was the simple fact that Harvey loved to fly. Indeed, despite dedicating most of his working life to the management of Bearskin and many other business ventures, he continued to fly recreationally and especially cherished his float plane, which allowed him to enjoy his other personal passions of hunting and fishing, and to share with others – be they family, friends, or business acquaintances – his enthusiasm for Northern Ontario.

Harvey Friesen sold Bearskin in 2011, but in a move characteristic of someone with his family, community, and business values, he agreed to stay with the company for another three years to ensure a smooth transition. He finally retired on 31 December 2013. Sadly, Harvey died suddenly just one month into his retirement, leaving behind his wife, Anna, of 43 years and their four sons, Jason, Marcus, Kyle and Alex.