rotornut
18th Jan 2005, 18:21
Boeing closure ends an era
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to Toronto Star, January 18, 2005
As sad as the loss of 350 skilled jobs is, so is the knowledge of the loss of a piece of Canadian heritage associated with the plant once known as Victory Aircraft at Malton. Over the past 60 or more years, this plant has put Canada on the map in the aviation industry. Aside from its wartime production of the Lancaster bomber, CF-100, Avro jetliner and the fabled Avro Arrow fighter jet, there was a whole host of other research and development ongoing at the plant. Vehicles such as the Avro "Aerocar" were also part of the cutting-edge technology engaged in by many Canadians at the facility.
Boeing, as a business, will do what it must do to maintain its profitability in a very competitive commercial aircraft industry. It will sell off whatever tooling and machinery is within the plant. Whatever remains of the plant, if anything at all from its Victory Aircraft days, must not be allowed to be part of Boeing's agenda. We have already failed to protect this landmark.
As Canadians, we must band together to ensure that what's left of the great history and legacy associated with this plant is maintained. Our heritage minister should decree the plant a historical site or possibly even the future home of the Toronto aviation museum displaying proudly the aircraft which were built at the plant as well as the other aircraft that helped forge Ontario's north country.
For the sake of my mother-in-law, who spent her youth building the Lancaster bombers flown by our valiant airmen, Torontonians and Canadian aviation enthusiasts, we must not lose this defining piece of our heritage. It is more than just a factory, more than just real estate; it is who we are.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aldo Campitelli, Brampton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to Toronto Star, January 18, 2005
As sad as the loss of 350 skilled jobs is, so is the knowledge of the loss of a piece of Canadian heritage associated with the plant once known as Victory Aircraft at Malton. Over the past 60 or more years, this plant has put Canada on the map in the aviation industry. Aside from its wartime production of the Lancaster bomber, CF-100, Avro jetliner and the fabled Avro Arrow fighter jet, there was a whole host of other research and development ongoing at the plant. Vehicles such as the Avro "Aerocar" were also part of the cutting-edge technology engaged in by many Canadians at the facility.
Boeing, as a business, will do what it must do to maintain its profitability in a very competitive commercial aircraft industry. It will sell off whatever tooling and machinery is within the plant. Whatever remains of the plant, if anything at all from its Victory Aircraft days, must not be allowed to be part of Boeing's agenda. We have already failed to protect this landmark.
As Canadians, we must band together to ensure that what's left of the great history and legacy associated with this plant is maintained. Our heritage minister should decree the plant a historical site or possibly even the future home of the Toronto aviation museum displaying proudly the aircraft which were built at the plant as well as the other aircraft that helped forge Ontario's north country.
For the sake of my mother-in-law, who spent her youth building the Lancaster bombers flown by our valiant airmen, Torontonians and Canadian aviation enthusiasts, we must not lose this defining piece of our heritage. It is more than just a factory, more than just real estate; it is who we are.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aldo Campitelli, Brampton