Febuary 23, 2009
OTTAWA—Due to poor weather conditions in the Sydney, Nova Scotia, region, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, has been advised to cancel her participation in the "Flight of the Silver Dart: Centennial Celebration" activities on Monday, February 23, 2009, in Baddeck, Nova Scotia.
Regretfully, freezing rain and severe crosswinds are expected in the Sydney region.
"This event was important to me. The Silver Dart is the irrefutable proof that nothing is impossible and that sometimes a dream is all it takes to give history an unexpected, unforeseen and wonderful turn," said the Governor General. "I am very disappointed that I cannot attend, but I hope everyone in Baddeck has a great celebration!"
The weather has also forced organizers of the event to cancel outdoor events including flypasts and air demonstrations, as well as the recreation of the first controlled powered flight in Canada in 1909 by the AEA Silver Dart. The original Silver Dart was designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), formed under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.
Information about the events surrounding the 100th anniversary of flight in Canada is available at www.flightofthesilverdart.ca.
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Media information
Isabelle Serrurier
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
Leanne Beddow
Flight of the Silver Dart
902-488-3265
www.flightofthesilverdart.ca
