No. H122/13
For release - September 25, 2013
MONTREAL — The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today unveiled a new photo exhibit at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s headquarters in Montreal entitled “Montreal and ICAO: A Panoramic View of our History.”
The 30-panel photo exhibit donated by the Government of Canada provides an historical view of Montreal’s contribution to international aviation since 1907. It also marks this year as the 30th time Canada has hosted an Assembly on behalf of the Organization, which now comprises 191 member states.
“Canada is proud of its rich history with this important UN organization, in particular our contribution through government support at various levels as well as synergies with private industry and academia. The new photo exhibit celebrates this history, while motivating us to continue that legacy going forward,” said Minister Lebel. “As an international leader in aviation safety and security, Canada supports ICAO’s efforts to ensure aviation worldwide is not only safe and secure, but also economically and environmentally sustainable. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Montreal continues to provide a fertile ground for ICAO to grow.”
Since its inception in 1947, Montreal has been the international headquarters of this United Nations agency. Today, ICAO is the global centre for the development of international aviation regulations and policies ensuring the safety and security of air travel.
Today’s photo exhibit unveiling comes the day after Minister Raitt welcomed ICAO’s member countries to the 38th Assembly and met with her U.S. transportation counterpart for the first time as well as a number of other partners to advance Canadian interests in the field of international civil aviation including witnessing the signing of an agreement with the European Aviation Safety Agency to enhance aviation safety. She also participated in the presentation of ICAO’s 40th Edward Warner Award to Dr. Assad Kotaite, past President of the ICAO Council, for his contributions to civil aviation. For more information on the Edward Warner Award, please visit the ICAO website at: legacy.icao.int/icao/en/trivia/warner.htm.
The ICAO’s 38th Assembly is meeting at its headquarters in Montreal from September 24 to October 4, 2013. For more information about the Assembly and its schedule, please visit the ICAO website at: www.icao.int/Meetings/a38/Pages/default.aspx.
For the first time in its history, ICAO will open its doors to the public for scheduled tours, including tours of art collections donated by member states. The exhibit and tours are available October 12-26, 2013, 10 a.m. (French), 11 a.m. (English), 1 p.m. (French) and 2 p.m. (English) daily at “La Maison de L’OACI” located at 999 University Street. For more information please contact ICAO Communications at communications@icao.int Twitter: @ICAOpress.
For more information on Canada’s role as host of ICAO, please visit: www.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/icao-oaci/index.aspx?lang=eng.
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Contacts:
Ashley Kelahear
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.
