NATIONAL STORIES
On 9/11 Eve, Responders and Passengers Reconnect in Gander to Recall Acts of Kindness
9/11 survivors, pilots, and former transport minister David Collenette gathered in Gander to reflect on the diverted flights and community kindness.

Reflections at Gander International Airport
Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, hundreds gathered at Gander International Airport on Thursday evening for an event titled “Untold Stories — Reconnected.” The gathering brought together former officials, flight crews, and community responders to recount their experiences during the historical crisis.
Crucial Decisions in the Air Space
Former federal minister of transport David Collenette detailed the moment he learned of the tragedy while speaking in Montreal on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. After receiving a note from an aide to wrap up his speech, Collenette rushed back to Ottawa. He was tasked with making critical aviation choices, which included directing 229 U.S.-bound passenger jets to land at Canadian facilities, such as airports in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Stephenville, St. John’s, and Gander. To ensure safety against further potential security threats, he directed passengers to stay aboard the grounded aircraft for several hours.
Recalling the pressure of managing a sky where planes entered Canadian airspace every 90 seconds, Collenette noted that everyone reacted on instinct to handle their responsibilities, expressing hope that such an event never recurs.
Local Humanitarian Effort
When North American airspace closed following the attacks, 38 commercial airliners landed in Gander alone. The arrival brought almost 7,000 disoriented passengers and crew members, effectively doubling the population of the central Newfoundland town in hours. The resulting local support effort inspired the musical Come From Away and built lasting bonds between visitors and residents.
Among the speakers was Guy Gullick, pilot of US Airways Flight 3 from Rome to Philadelphia, which was the final aircraft to land in Gander that day. Gullick recalled asking an airport worker about the lack of surrounding security, to which the worker replied that nothing happens there and that they were safe. Gullick praised local hospitality worker Susan Scharpegge for sleeping on the hotel floor despite available rooms, describing the community’s actions as an example of compassion for the world.
Community Members Step Up
Local figures also shared memories of assisting the incoming travellers. Salvation Army officer Marlene George recalled reassuring an anxious passenger that Gander was the right place to be stranded, noting that residents offered genuine love. Meanwhile, Gambo resident Frazer Lush left a school bus drivers’ strike picket line to lend assistance and help clean schools serving as temporary shelters, stating that helping people in need superseded the job dispute.
NATIONAL STORIES
Search Continues After Ontario-Based Medical Flight Vanishes Near Massachusetts Coast
U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching near Nantucket for a missing Latitude Air Ambulance jet carrying four Canadians and two passengers from Bermuda.
Emergency Search Underway Off Nantucket
Air and ground search teams are scanning waters approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Boston after a medical transport aircraft vanished early Saturday morning. Contact with the Gulfstream G100 jet was lost around 1:30 a.m. as it made its approach toward Boston from Bermuda, prompting a response from the U.S. Coast Guard following notification by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight Carrying Crew and Patients
The aircraft is operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. According to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for the company, six individuals were aboard the flight. The crew consists of two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff members. They were transporting two Bermuda nationals, identified as a patient and a family member.
Response and Ongoing Inquiries
Togeretz confirmed that the company contacted American authorities after the plane failed to land on the tarmac as scheduled. He noted that this marks the first instance where the operator has lost contact with one of its aircraft, adding that the team is holding onto optimism while praying for a safe resolution. Latitude Air Ambulance has reached out to Transport Canada regarding the incident. Meanwhile, provincial air ambulance provider Ornge expressed support via social media, stating it hopes the aircraft and everyone on board are located safely and quickly.
NATIONAL STORIES
Why Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Questions Mark Carney’s New Pipeline Stance
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes Mark Carney’s pipeline proposal, calling him an illusion and questioning his shift on oil and gas.
Poilievre Dismisses Carney’s Fast-Track Pipeline Proposal
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed strong skepticism regarding Mark Carney, describing him as an “illusion” ahead of an upcoming major announcement. Poilievre questioned Carney’s recent backing of a proposal to fast-track and construct a West Coast pipeline project.
Contrasting Past Record with Recent Statements
Poilievre highlighted Carney’s history over the past decade, pointing out that the former banker worked to defund oil and gas, established an alliance aimed at shutting down the sector, opposed a Pacific pipeline, and advocated for higher carbon taxes.
“I don’t know how you can go in three years from believing oil and gas is going to end the world to believing you support oil and gas,” Poilievre stated. “I guess miracles are possible. He claims to have changed his mind but he hasn’t really changed the results. There’s been a lot of talk.”
Comparisons to Foreign Project Delivery
In assessing the situation, the Conservative leader observed that large-scale infrastructure projects are completed rapidly in nations like Germany and the United States.
NATIONAL STORIES
Michael J. Fox Earns Canada’s Highest Civilian Distinction for Parkinson’s Work
Michael J. Fox was elevated to companion of the Order of Canada alongside 50 other honourees, including UBC engineering professor Yusuf Altintas.
National Honours Presented at Rideau Hall
During an investiture ceremony on Friday morning at Rideau Hall, Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour formally elevated celebrated actor and advocate Michael J. Fox to the companion level of the Order of Canada, drawing a standing ovation from attendees. Rideau Hall cited his unflinching honesty and powerful global advocacy concerning Parkinson’s disease for the elevation. Fox, who publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 1998, has helped generate $2.5 billion for research into the progressive nervous system disorder, which causes tremors, slowness, stiffness, memory difficulties, and depression.
Distinguished Inductees Recognized Across Fields
A total of 51 individuals joined or advanced within the Order of Canada during the Friday event. Arbour praised the group in French for directing their skills, influence, and effort toward the public good rather than personal gain alone, noting that Fox serves as a shining example of using courage, imagination, and determination to foster lasting progress.
The newly honoured members and officers include noteworthy figures across various disciplines. University of British Columbia mechanical engineering professor Yusuf Altintas was inducted as an officer alongside McGill University professor Nada Jabado, who was recognized for her contributions to pediatric neuro-oncology. Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz became an officer for his efforts supporting international trade and economic stability. Sculptor Ruth Elsie Abernethy entered as a member for her worldwide bronze statues exploring heritage, gender, and nation-building, while Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Susanne Craig was named a member for her impactful reporting across major American and Canadian news outlets.
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