Fort McKay Landing and Northern Mat & Bridge Launch Joint Venture to Deliver Access Solutions in Northern Alberta

Press Release

Fort McKay, AB (July 28, 2025) – Fort McKay Landing Limited Partnership (FMLLP), the investment arm of Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN), is proud to announce the formation of a new joint venture with Northern Mat & Bridge (NMB), a leading Canadian provider of temporary access matting and portable bridge solutions.

The joint venture, named Northern McKay Access Solutions, will focus on delivering safe, reliable, and locally supported access services for energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects in the Fort McKay region and surrounding territories.

Under the agreement, FMLLP holds a 51% ownership stake, reflecting FMFN’s commitment to advancing Indigenous economic participation and leadership. NMB will serve as the operating partner, bringing decades of technical expertise, equipment capabilities, and project delivery experience to the venture.

“This partnership is a strong step forward in advancing Indigenous participation in regional development. It enables us to play a meaningful role in projects close to home, while also supporting employment and capacity-building for Fort McKay First Nation and its people,” said Michael Chwelos, Chief Operating Officer, Fort McKay Group of Companies.

“Northern Mat & Bridge is honoured to partner with Fort McKay First Nation to serve the region with best-in-class access solutions,” said Scott Vyse, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at NMB. “This venture reflects our shared focus on safety, reliability, and Indigenous inclusion, and we look forward to delivering results together.”

The venture is governed by a joint Management Committee and includes provisions to prioritize Indigenous employment, community sponsorship, and workforce development. It also establishes exclusive collaboration between FMLLP and NMB for matting and bridge solutions within the region.

About Fort McKay First Nation:

FMFN is located 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, on the shores of the Athabasca River. The Nation manages a portfolio of 17 businesses through an income-focused private equity model. Income is generated from shareholder distributions and debt instruments provided to targeted investments. This income supports the funding of essential programs and services, including education and health care, for the community of Fort McKay. Federal or provincial funding accounts for only 5 – 10% of FMFN’s annual budget.

About Northern Mat & Bridge:

From British Columbia to Newfoundland, Northern Mat & Bridge (NMB) is the premier choice for providing safe, cost-effective temporary access matting solutions for key industries such as oil & gas, pipeline and energy infrastructure, electricity infrastructure, mining, forestry, and general construction. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, NMB deploys equipment and staff from its strategic locations nationwide to projects of all types and scopes. It is that unbreakable commitment to safety, customer service and first-class products which has made NMB Canada’s leader in access solutions.

For further information about Northern McKay Access Solutions, please contact:

Anthony Chen
Portfolio Manager, Fort McKay Landing
anthony.chen@fortmckay.com

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