Fellow Porter Pilots,

As we move toward our first round of negotiations beginning this Monday, please be sure to read the latest message from the Negotiating Committee here: POE NC Update - December 5, 2025.

The committee has a long road ahead, and we hope you will join us in giving Dan, Sebastian, and Ian your full support as they work to secure our future.

A Message from Your New MEC Chair

For those I haven’t met yet, my name is Brian Smith, and I am honored to be your new MEC Chair.

First, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Andrew Axson for his dedication and enthusiasm during the organizing drive and his tenure as Interim MEC Chair. We would not be where we are today without him. Sincere thanks also go to Brad Vien for his time as Secretary-Treasurer; he was instrumental in establishing our procedures and documentation during a period of rapid growth. I look forward to both of them continuing to be involved in the union.

Meet Your Master Executive Council Officers

Captain Brian Smith | MEC Chair Toronto (YYZ) E2 Captain

I joined Porter in its infancy in November 2006 as a Dash 8 First Officer, upgrading to Captain in April 2007. In 2011, I transferred to Halifax to be closer to family, but I have since returned to the Toronto base as an E2 Captain. Prior to Porter, I flew as a B737 FO at CanJet and spent five years at Perimeter Aviation.

I have served on the AOSH committee, as a Dash 8 Training Captain, and on both the very first and very last FOAG committees. Most recently, I was elected as the Captain Rep for the Toronto LEC.

Some may ask: Why move from the LEC to the MEC Chair so quickly? When I was told to "go where you can do the most good," I realized that my diverse background—as a Dash FO, Dash CA, Trainer, Commuter, and now E2 CA—allows me to relate to the different perspectives of our entire pilot group. I am passionate about this airline and its pilots. Whether you have been here for 19 years or 19 hours, we are in this together. We are all Porter Pilots.

Captain Michael Falk | MEC Vice Chair Toronto (YYZ) E2 Captain

Captain Michael Falk joined Porter in November 2022 as a Direct Entry Captain on the E2. Growing up in Northern Ontario, he began his commercial flying career in 2001 and brings a wealth of leadership experience to the MEC.

Before joining Porter, Michael served as a Chief Pilot and a Type A ACP, conducting training and checkrides under 703, 704, and 705 regulations. He has flown a variety of aircraft, including the Airbus A321, across North America and Europe. Most notably, while at WestJet Encore, Michael became an ALPA negotiator in 2017. This background in negotiation will be a significant asset as we work toward our first collective agreement.

First Officer Thomas Hebb | MEC Secretary-Treasurer Halifax (YHZ) Dash 8 First Officer

Thomas Hebb joined Porter in February 2019 and is based in Halifax. He currently serves as an Employee Co-Chair of Porter’s Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Thomas completed the RCAF’s Flight Safety Investigator Course, and his background includes a mixture of flying and safety investigative roles.

Thomas is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of your union dues. He brings formal financial management training from his time managing large public budgets with the CAF, as well as fiduciary experience serving as a Condominium Board President. He is committed to ensuring that union resources are allocated efficiently to achieve our strategic goals.

If you have any questions for the MEC, please email us at POEMEC@alpa.org.

In Unity,

Captain Brian Smith, MEC Chair