Minister Blair to visit British Columbia to discuss aerospace investments, housing for Canadian Armed Forces members, and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy

August 2, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will visit British Columbia from August 7 to 9, 2024, to discuss investments in Canada’s aerospace sector, housing for Canadian Armed Forces members, and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Note: All times local.

August 7, 2024

9:15 am – Minister Blair will visit Boeing Vancouver in Richmond, British Columbia. He will participate in an announcement about investments in the British Columbia aerospace industry. Minister Blair will be joined by Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston—Richmond East. Following the announcement, the Minister will be available to take questions from reporters.

•  Open coverage for accredited media.
•  Location: 13575 Commerce Pkwy #200, Richmond, BC V6V 2L1
• Media should register with Cynthia Waldmeier at cynthia.waldmeier@boeing.com to receive further details and confirm their attendance.
• Media are kindly asked to register by 12:00 pm on August 6, 2024, and on the day of the event, media should arrive no later than 9:00 am.

2:00 pm – Minister Blair will visit Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt to make a significant announcement about accomodations and housing for Canadian Armed Forces members in British Columbia.

• Open coverage for accredited media.
• Location: CFB Esquimalt
• Media should register with Lieutenant (Navy) Wilson Ho at Wilson.Ho@forces.gc.ca to receive further details and confirm their attendance.

August 8, 2024

3:00 pm – Minister Blair will deliver a keynote speech to the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada about Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and Canada’s defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free. Following the Minister’s remarks, he will participate in a fireside chat with Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

• Open coverage for accredited media.
• Location: Downtown Vancouver.
• Media should register with Michael Roberts at michael.roberts@asiapacific.ca or text/call 604-649-4863 to receive further details and confirm their attendance.

August 9, 2024

12:10 pm – Minister Blair will deliver keynote remarks at the Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo (ADSE) in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The Minister will discuss how the Government is making the largest investment in the RCAF since the Second World War, and how Canada’s new defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, will strengthen relations with the Canadian aerospace and defence industries.

• Open coverage for accredited media.
• Location: TRADEX (Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre), 1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6H5
•  Media accreditation is required for all journalists, photographers, and videographers who wish to attend ADSE. Media who wish to attend ADSE should contact John Braniff jbraniff@aiac.ca to receive accreditation.

3:30 pm – Minister Blair will scrum with media at the Abbotsford International Airshow.

• Open coverage for accredited media.
• Location: Abbotsford International Airport. Information on directions and entry
• Media should register with media@abbotsfordairshow.com or 780-722-2363 to receive further details and confirm their attendance. Media are kindly asked to register by August 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm.