Transport Canada
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National Aviation Day – February 23
In 2009, the Honourable John Baird, MP, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities declared February 23 as National Aviation Day, so that each year Canadians can celebrate past achievements and open new chapters in aviation excellence.
There was a time when connecting citizens meant meeting in the village square to exchange news and debate issues. As society became more complex, and because of great distances separating people, visionaries looked for new ways to bring people together.
February 23, 2009, marks the 100th anniversary of connecting communities from coast to coast to coast of our vast country through powered flight. Very few nations in the world owe more to flight than Canada. Aviation opened up the country and remains a lifeline to many remote and northern areas.
From the 1909 Silver Dart to Bombardier’s 2008 launch of its “green” fuel-efficient jets, Canada has much to celebrate. National Aviation Day is meant to honour the pioneers who opened the skies as a way to connect people and move goods safely and quickly — within our large nation and around the world. On this day, Canada also celebrates the aircraft engineers and operators, air force personnel and veterans, airport planners and traffic controllers, lawmakers and safety and security experts who may not share the glory, but do share the credit for Canada’s aviation strength and success at home and abroad.
For more information and resources related to Transport Canada’s role in aviation, Canada’s aviation history, or career opportunities in aviation in Canada:
- National Aviation Day! February 23 (Children’s Booklet) (TP 14990)
- Choose Your Aviation Career Flight Path (TP 14989)
- Canadian Centennial of Flight
