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On Feb. 22, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau issued this statement regarding National Aviation Day:
“On Feb. 23, 1909, pilot J.A.D. McCurdy flew the Silver Dart from Baddeck, N.S., launching Canada as a worldwide leader in aviation. This moment is something we celebrate each year on National Aviation Day.
“Those first flights prompted the Government of Canada to begin building a future of safe and secure civil aviation operations in Canada. For 100 years, every aircraft, airport, ground and air crew member has been required to meet the regulations of the Aeronautics Act.
“Today, I want to recognize all the public service employees who have worked to build, amend and enforce the Aeronautics Act and aviation regulations. We owe the safety of our skies to their collective dedication and professionalism over the past century.
“Canada’s aerospace industry generates $29.8 billion in annual revenues; represents 211,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada; 140,000 jobs in the airlines, airports and related services industry and five per cent of all jobs in the North.
“I want to recognize the many people, including airline and airport employees, flight crews, engineers, air traffic controllers and maintenance workers, who help maintain the safety and security of aviation for all Canadians and keep Canada’s aviation system one of the safest in the world.
“It is possible to live your dream of flying or helping others fly. The sky is the limit for the future of this industry and I encourage everyone–especially youth, Indigenous Peoples and women–to pursue careers in Canadian aviation and aerospace.”
