Bradford kicks off week dedicated to RCAF's centennial anniversary
The Town of Bradford West-Gwillimbury has kicked off a week filled with festivities in honour of a major milestone for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
On Monday, local veterans, along with representatives from CF Borden, the birthplace of the RCAF, gathered for a special flag-raising in honour of the RCAF's 100th anniversary. The division launched in April 1924.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The flag-raising ceremony on Monday was just the beginning of a week filled with diverse activities, all designed to commemorate the RCAF's 100th anniversary.
"It means so much because the members of the Royal Air Force have dedicated their lives to making Canada safe and free," said Lt. Col. Ferguson Mobbs. "For a hundred years, they've been doing that. So we want to showcase these people and the RCAF for what they have done for Canada."
The flag-raising was attended by many members of Bradford's town council and Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu, who filled in for the mayor who had a last-minute schedule conflict.
"It's so important to all of us, all Canadians and residents of Bradford, that we recognize and thank our Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Air Force for what they have done," Sandhu said. "They have played a big, huge role for our freedom and how peacefully we've stayed and live in this country."
The week of events is being put together with help from the Bradford Public Library. On Wednesday, the library will host a special film screening focused on the air cadets, followed by a panel discussion on the RCAF on Thursday.
The commemorative events end on Friday with a parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by a special performance by the SkyHawks at 1 p.m.
"These events really capsulize the dedication, honor of so many people for Canada and we have to express this to our young people so what's happened in the past is never forgotten and yet instill in them the values and virtues that we as Canadians cherish," said Lt. Col. Mobbs.
Throughout the week, the library will also have a flight simulator for the public to use, allowing them to get a sense of being behind the controls of an RCAF plane.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. insists it’s a good sign U.S. president-elect Donald Trump feels 'comfortable' joking with Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
Canadians warned to use caution in South Korea after martial law declared then lifted
Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law.
NDP won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that quotes Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Speaker's ruling clears path for Trudeau's government to face successive tests of confidence in days ahead
After rallying his party's caucus and staffers on Parliament Hill Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh signalled that he's still not ready to help the other opposition parties trigger an early election, yet.
Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing'
The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.