Key facts
- Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed 38 diverted flights and thousands of stranded Americans on 9/11.
- Residents provided free beds, food, medicine, and clothing to passengers for five days.
- The town is facing backlash over inviting US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to 9/11 anniversary commemoration ceremonies.
- The town council stated its focus is on honoring the 3,000 victims of the attacks.
- Fewer than half of Canadians view the US as a reliable partner, according to June Pew Research Centre polling.
- A petition calling for Ambassador Hoekstra's expulsion had nearly 270,000 signatures as of early September.
Gander, Newfoundland, a town that became a symbol of Canadian hospitality by welcoming thousands of stranded Americans on September 11, 2001, is now experiencing a public backlash over its decision to invite the US Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, to its commemoration ceremonies.
The town's welcoming spirit on 9/11, when 38 civilian flights were diverted to its small airport after the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, is well-documented and was the basis for the musical "Come From Away." For five days, residents provided free beds, food, medicine, and clothing to the nearly 7,000 passengers from 95 countries who were grounded.
However, twenty-five years later, some residents and Canadians are expressing strong disapproval of Ambassador Hoekstra's attendance, with some demanding his invitation be rescinded. This sentiment reflects a broader cooling of relations between Canada and the United States, exacerbated by a trade war initiated during Donald Trump's presidency. Recent polling by the Pew Research Centre indicates that fewer than half of Canadians now view the US as a reliable partner, a significant drop from previous years.
The town council acknowledged the public's feelings, stating in a release that while they understand the frustration, inviting US dignitaries is standard protocol and their primary focus remains honoring the victims of the attacks. Ambassador Hoekstra has previously drawn criticism for statements perceived as undermining the bilateral relationship, including comments related to the "51st state" rhetoric. A petition calling for his expulsion had garnered nearly 270,000 signatures by early September.
Despite the controversy, some voices in Gander have softened their stance, with one resident, Frampton, writing that to refuse the ambassador would contradict the town's reputation for tolerance and hospitality. Gander Mayor Percy Farwell emphasized that the town's actions 25 years ago were about "love and compassion" and "humanity," hoping that the anniversary's commemoration would rise above political discussions.
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