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New Permanent Exhibit Unveiled at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Commemorate Centennial of Royal Canadian Air Force and Airport’s 85th Anniversary

On Wednesday, April 24, a new permanent exhibit was unveiled at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) and RCAF Foundation to commemorate the RCAF centennial and 85th anniversary of the airport.

The exhibit celebrates the airport’s strong ties to Canadian military and aviation history and features an original First World War-era Curtiss JN-4 Canuck biplane propeller. The “Canuck”, manufactured by Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd. of Toronto was widely used in training by Canadian pilots during the First World War. The exhibit also includes a collection of nine original pilot’s wings badges, representing the evolution of badges worn by Canadian aviators from 1912-present.

Established in 1939, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has operated on the Toronto waterfront for 85 years and has strong ties to Canadian military history. In its early years, from 1939 to 1943, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport served as a training ground for both the Royal Canadian and Royal Norwegian Air Forces, with neighbouring Little Norway Park named in honour of the Norwegian community that settled around the airport in 1940.

These artifacts are the latest historic art installation at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and are located next to the airport’s cast bronze statues of First World War flying aces and Victoria Cross recipients William Barker and William Avery “Billy” Bishop – the airport’s namesake.

Learn more about this exhibit here.

Community Notices

Ship Channel Bridge Update – May 2

The Ship Channel Bridge will remain in the upright position until Friday, May 10 as structural analysis on the damaged main shaft and lifting mechanism continues. Engineering teams expect results next week that will determine next steps for the repair/containment of damage sustained April 22, and the continued safe operation of the bridge. PortsToronto will continue to provide updates here and on our social media channels as information becomes available.

Ship Channel Bridge – Out of Service

The Ship Channel Bridge is currently out of service and will be locked in the upright position until Monday, May 6 as critical emergency repairs are completed. During this time, Cherry Street will remain closed for vehicular and pedestrian traffic south of Polson Street. Members of the public and all Port users can still use Unwin Avenue (base of Leslie Street) to access the Port and Cherry Beach.

Ship Channel Bridge Returns to Operation

The majority of repairs on the Ship Channel Bridge were completed on Friday, April 26 and the bridge is now fully operational. Additional maintenance work will be ongoing, however there will be minimal impact to road and marine traffic.

News

New Permanent Exhibit at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Commemorates Centennial of Royal Canadian Air Force and Airport’s Connection to Aviation History in Canada

Exhibit featuring original, First World War-era Curtiss Canuck biplane propeller commemorated in April 2024 to celebrate Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport 85^th anniversary and RCAF centennial

PortsToronto Announces Sandra Pupatello as New Board Chair

PortsToronto today announces that Ms. Sandra Pupatello has been elected Chair of the PortsToronto Board of Directors effective April 2, 2024. Ms. Pupatello is an active member of the PortsToronto Board and has served on the Audit and Finance Committee and Communications and Outreach Committee.

PortsToronto celebrates the 163rd annual Top Hat Ceremony with the arrival of the first ship of the season

The MV Wigeon and Captain Sergiy Kobylyashnyy won the race to be the first international ship to the Port of Toronto, bringing thousands of metric tonnes of sugar from Recife, Brazil, to Redpath Sugar.

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