Billy Bishop would have been pleased

You might not have been able to make it to the opening yesterday of the new terminal at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, but let me assure you that Billy Bishop would have been pleased. Or, at least that’s what his son, Arthur, believes:

“His attitude was – with cars or airplanes or whatever – to keep up with the times. This is the modern age.”

Arthur, 86, is a former Spitfire pilot, and stole the show with his stories and tributes. “I guess my Grandmother didn’t like me very much, or else she would have left me some money.” (Arthur’s Grandmother was an Eaton). Regarding his Dad’s war accomplishments: “I’m just a piker,” although Arthur saw real combat in WWII and had his Spit shot out from under him by anti-aircraft fire over Normandy, France.

Billy Bishop’s Grandaughter Diana and Grandson Billy were also in attendance. Must have been interesting for them to witness this most recent reminder of the adulation that their Grandfather experienced everywhere he went in Canada following World War I.

Also on hand to help kick things off were officials from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, and the Billy Bishop Home and Museum in Owen Sound. Each institution brought a great cross section from their collection of Billy Bishop pieces. From Ottawa came two tunics and Air Marshal Bishop’s medals, including his Victoria Cross. Likely the most valuable collection of military medals, even history, in Canada. They are priceless, really, and it is a shame that such items don’t travel more frequently.

Owen Sound’s museum was kind enough to share a bounty that included: a 1915 yearbook from the Royal Military College, a letter signed by two dozen VC recipients following a boozy dinner in London, a replica of Bishop’s medals that he had made into a bracelet for his wife, etc. Once the permanent memorial is established at the BBTCA, the good people of Owen Sound have generously agreed to help the TPA build an appropriate collection, complete with some items loaned from their own expansive treasure chest.

The launch of Porter’s $50 million privately-financed new terminal is proof that Canadian entrepreneurs can succeed when they put their minds to something. In a different era, people like Porter CEO Bob Deluce would likely have volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps, just as Billy Bishop did. Today, however, most of the exciting battles are being waged in business, and not over Vimy Ridge.

For Porter’s institutional investors (OMERS, Edgestone, DanCap), yesterday was another reminder of how much they’ve accomplished in a short time. In 2005/6, just 22,000 passengers flew out of the airport when it was serviced by an earlier commercial airline carrier. This year, the Toronto Port Authority anticipates more than 1 million passengers.

And ignoring the chronic fibs told to the media by the dozen protesters and a City Councillor (who despite their rump numbers get equal real estate in most print outlets), every improvement, every ferry, every plow, and the proposed pedestrian tunnel, are all paid for by travelling public via the Airport Improvement Fees they pay on departure — not by the public purse.

If you want to get a sense of Air Marshal Bishop, and why his name was chosen to grace the airport, the TPA arranged for the production of a short video which is available here. And then there’s the complusory speech.

If it wasn’t for people like Issac Brock, Billy Barker, Billy Bishop, Arthur Bishop, David Hornell, and the brave Canadian servicemen and women serving right now in Afganistan, Haiti and around the world, Canada would be a very different place. It certainly wouldn’t exist as we know it today if not for all of these brave men and women, present and past.
Although the airport proudly bears Billy Bishop’s name, the underlying goal was to also acknowledge the effort and sacrifice of the millions of Canadians who have worn a uniform and served our nation over the past 200 years. I think we succeeded.

MRM
(disclosure – this blog, as always, reflects a personal opinion and in no way represents the views of the TPA, its Board/Staff or the federal government)