'National embarrassment': Aviation event scheduled for this weekend unexpectedly grounded
An annual event that hopes to inspire young girls to take an interest in aviation has been postponed indefinitely.
The Sky’s No Limit - Girls Can Fly Too was scheduled to take place on the first weekend of October, but it was abruptly cancelled at the 11th hour.
Kristen Brazier, a pilot and founder of the event, said the last few weeks have been a nightmare of uncertainty.
She was waiting on official word from Transport Canada on whether the event could take place, and she made the decision to cancel the event since she didn’t know if the event was going to get approved.
“We couldn't take the risk. So I had to do the difficult decision and that was to postpone the event,” Brazier told CTV News.
“It's been really frustrating. We've been doing this event for 10 years; we've been doing the same event for the last six years.”
Yet this year, the regulator had not issued the certificate that would’ve given Brazier the green light.
“This is a national embarrassment. This event is important to Canada and the United States to address the shortage of women in high-tech STEM fields. And Transport Canada has provided no explanation why they have acted in this manner and I think it's appalling,” she said.
She enlisted the help of her local MP for Cloverdale-Langley City, John Aldadg, who said he supports the event.
“I have spoken with the transport minister’s office and I think there was some disappointment on their side as well because, you know, they weren't trying to cancel the event, but they also felt that, you know, there were still some items that weren't satisfied,” Aldag told CTV News.
In an email to CTV News, the regulator said they received an “incomplete” application and there were outstanding safety concerns.
“Key areas of concern included insufficient event management and emergency response plans for an event of this size, a lack of information regarding the qualifications of pilots and aircraft that will be deployed during the event, and lack of details on human resources (security personnel, volunteers) required to provide crowd control at the event,” it wrote.
Brazier said Transport Canada has not been clear as to what needed to be fixed in the application.
“(We’re) baffled as to why Transport Canada would withhold certification and not even explain what the problem was or give us an opportunity to fix it,” she said.
Aldag said as a third-party who wasn’t involved in filling out and reviewing the application, it appeared there was clear miscommunication between the two parties.
“We have a bit of a communication breakdown here, where everybody thought they were being clear on what they were asking the other person and here we are without an event. I really want us to have a good look at this file and see how we can make sure that when the next application goes in that we’re not down to the wire and that everybody gets what they need,” he said.
Brazier still hopes to hold the event, but has not decided on a new date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.