Jean Chrétien’s 25-Year-Later 9/11 Speech in Gander

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, Canadian authorities closed U.S. airspace. The small airport in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador—serving a town of fewer than 10,000 residents—received 38 diverted passenger planes, bringing nearly 7,000 strangers to the community. Local schools, halls and homes were turned into makeshift shelters, and volunteers provided thousands of hot meals, forging lasting friendships that have become a symbol of Canada-U.S. solidarity.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra opened the ceremony by recalling his own whereabouts on 9/11 and lauding the “extraordinary things” Gander residents did when planes were diverted. He thanked Canadians for their “friendship” and “shared sacrifices” during the Afghanistan war and the 9/11 response. Governor-General Louise Arbour highlighted the long-standing alliance between the two nations, citing joint efforts in two world wars, the Cold War and mutual disaster relief. Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, speaking at the two-hour service, warned that Canada’s generosity should not be mistaken for weakness, emphasizing determination, respect and truth in the bilateral relationship.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Approximately 1,000 attendees—many of them senior “plane people” who returned to Gander—rose to applaud Chrétien’s remarks, which linked the historic hospitality of 2001 to contemporary tensions over trade disputes and political rhetoric. The evening’s performances by The Ennis Sisters and Alan Doyle, as well as the presence of the “Come From Away” production team, underscored the event’s cultural resonance. Producer Michael Rubinoff described Chrétien’s speech as “profound,” saying it captured a moment when Canadian values were articulated amid renewed U.S.–Canada friction.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

• “You did it all. You stood up. You did what needed to be done,” — Pete Hoekstra

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)