The fallout from the terrorist attacks on 9/11 showed the depth of the special relationship between the U.S. and Canada — which provided an incredible amount of assistance, an effort that many may have forgotten.
The Canadian government not only shut down its airspace, it welcomed planes flying near the border that did not have enough fuel to return to their point or origin (including international flights from Asia and Europe) and needed an immediate spot to land.
Approximately 230 flights carrying more than 33,000 passengers landed on Canadian soil, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. Halifax International Airport received the largest number of flights (47 planes carrying more than 7,000 passengers), while Vancouver International Airport received the highest number of passengers (34 planes carrying 8,500 passengers).
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Welcoming this large number of unexpected visitors certainly was a challenge. For starters, each plane had to be searched, and every passenger had to be screened (meaning some had to stay on the tarmac for up to 24 hours). Then, the passengers needed to be housed and fed. Local officials, charitable organizations and volunteers scrambled to find schools and community halls, beds and blankets.
The spirit of cooperation was epitomized by the efforts of Gander, Newfoundland, where 37 flights were sent. A community of fewer than 10,000 people suddenly had to assist 6,700 people. School bus drivers who were on strike left their picket lines in order to provide transportation to area schools and halls. Medical prescriptions were filled by pharmacies at no cost, and people opened their homes to passengers in need of a coffee or a shower, the encyclopedia noted.
Canada felt the tragedy firsthand, too. Of the nearly 3,000 fatalities from 93 countries, 24 came from Canada.
The schedule
What’s happening Wednesday
- Flight home from Montreal to Newark
Strictly business
Canadian commerce
When it comes to Canadian investments in the U.S., leading sectors include finance and insurance, along with manufacturing and depository institutions. Canada is viewed as an attractive market for U.S. companies due to its stable business climate, low corporate taxes and a highly educated workforce.
The World Bank ranks Canada as the easiest place in the Group of 7 and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to start a business, which further encourages U.S. companies to invest. (See low corporate tax rates.)
Quebec insights
Representing about 19% of Canada’s total Gross Domestic Product, the province’s real GDP growth is projected to be 0.7% in 2024 and 1.2% in 2025, recovering from a minimal growth of 0.1% in 2023 due to various challenges, including droughts affecting hydroelectric production and public sector strikes. Montreal metropolitan area accounts for 53% of Quebec’s GDP.
Quebec has a population of about 8.6 million people, with the majority being French speaking. Montreal has a population of 1.8 million.
Montreal company with strong presence in N.J.
CAE: Formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics, CAE is a manufacturer of simulation technologies, modelling technologies and training services to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, health care specialists and defense customers.
Founded in 1947 and based in Montreal, its Northeast training center in Morristown now has 15 flight simulator bays, capable of providing instruction to 3,500 pilots a year.
Fun and games
Famous females from Montreal
There are plenty of actresses: Meaghan Rath, Missy Peregym, Sandra Oh, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Elisha Cuthbert all have a tie to Montreal. As does Julie Payette, a famed engineer, scientist and astronaut. Of course, there’s one talent that’s far above the rest: Celine Dion.
Devil of the day
It’s Canada, so we’re talking hockey. Jacques Lemaire will be forever known as the greatest coach in team history — someone who not only led the New Jersey Devils to their first Stanley Cup, but changed the way the game was played in the process. Speaking of playing the game, Lemaire was a heck of a player himself. He helped the Canadiens win eight Stanley Cups (and scored the game-winner in two of them) and was voted one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players.
