Canada's solidarity with the U.S. recalled on 9/11 anniversary

As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks approaches, U.S. diplomat Baxter Hunt, currently the U.S. consul general in Toronto, has recalled the significant outpouring of Canadian support following the tragedy.

Hunt described finding a “mountain of flowers” outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa the morning after the attacks. He noted that approximately 33,000 stranded passengers were taken in across Canada, including the community of Gander, Newfoundland, which hosted 38 passenger planes and over 6,500 travelers after U.S. airspace was closed.

Three days after the attacks, an estimated 80,000 people gathered at Parliament Hill for a national day of mourning. Then-prime minister Jean Chrétien addressed the crowd, stating that the actions of Canadians sent a clear message to the American people: “Do not despair. You are not alone. We are with you.” The attacks also resulted in the deaths of 24 Canadians.