Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, “Air disasters have taken the lives of too many Canadians, and left too many families across our country without loved ones.” He says, “Today, on the first National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters, I join Canadians across the country to remember and honour the people who were lost in these tragedies, and mourn alongside those they left behind.”

One year ago, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by the Iranian regime near Tehran, killing all 176 people on board, including 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents, and many others with ties to Canada.

Nearly two years ago, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on its way to Nairobi, Kenya, claiming the lives of 18 Canadians and many others with ties to Canada.

In 1985, 280 Canadians were murdered when a bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 from Toronto to London, England.

In 1989, 24 people died in the crash of Air Ontario Flight 1363 from Dryden to Winnipeg.

Following the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines Flight, Ralph Goodale of Regina was appointed as Special Advisor for the tragedy.

Trudeau says he recently welcomed Goodale’s report to help establish best practices to respond to future air disasters. The PM says they also developed the Safer Skies Initiative, working with international partners to help keep civilian aircraft away from dangerous conflict zones. He says they are also ensuring that the current flight restrictions for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Canadian airspace remain in effect until they are fully satisfied that all safety concerns have been addressed, and that enhanced flight crew procedures and training are in place.