Canada — Historical Events Description

Canada flag
Canada
Event
Avro Arrow Program Cancelled
Category
Military
Date
1959-02-20
Country
Canada
Description

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker’s government terminated the Avro Arrow aircraft program. The day is often called “Black Friday” in Canada’s aviation community. The Avro Arrow had been seen as a leading-edge interceptor aircraft project, and its cancellation was a major national shock. The decision had immediate impacts on workers and the aerospace industry. It remains controversial in Canadian historical debates.