The Canadian International Air Show has become an annual summer tradition — 73 years and counting — and so have calls to abolish it for its potential trauma-triggering effect on people with lived experience in war zones, as well as environmental damage it can instigate.
The show, which sees a number of fighter jets fly over Toronto for the last three days of the Canadian National Exhibition, purports to display the country’s military history while recognizing its military personnel and veterans, and inspiring the next generation of pilots. But detractors say the show does more harm than good, both for the environment and for the downtown population — some of whom are recent immigrants from countries with war history and fresh memories of air bombings.
Pity no strafing demos are scheduled.
