Intentions and Demands of the BCATP | Canada Declares War | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

Signed in December 1939 by Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) would create a comprehensive program for training airmen from these countries in Canada. Nearly half of the airmen employed in Commonwealth air forces during the Second World War were trained under the BCATP. The program would lead US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to describe Canada as the "aerodrome of democracy."

This Globe and Mail article from October 1939 (transcribed below) described the intentions and demands of the program.

Single column news article. — (*The Globe and Mail*, 20 October 1939.)

*The newspaper clipping is transcribed in full.*

**TRAINING PLAN WILL CALL FOR 100 AIRFIELDS**

**Most Expected to Be On Prairies Far From Dangers of Foes' Attack**

SHIP BASE POSSIBLE

Ottawa, Oct.19 (Staff). — It is revealed here in connection with the gigantic Empire training scheme that at least 100 aerodromes will be needed. Most of these will be located on the prairies, far from the possibility one enemy raids, and where weather and ground conditions are excellent for flying.

Pilots from Epire counties will be arriving here soon for training, and the facilities at Trenton, Camp Borden, ad other fields will be greatly enlarged. The fields of the Trans-Canada Airlines will also be pressed into service. Training planes and instructors will come from England to augment equipment and staffs here.

If the war is prolonged, and if Germany intensifies her bombing raids on British ports, it may be expected there will be a decentralization of British shipbuilding, with Canada as an important Empire naval base, according to indications from good sources today.

This project is left for the indefinite future, but day by day Canada's small navy is being pressed into new co-operative ventures with the British Navy on convoy and anti-submarine duty. Depending on the length of the war and other major factors affecting the British forces, Canada may have to build new important port facilities and may also build much better heavier ships than have thus far been undertaken in this country. Training of large numbers of naval reservists may be expected soon.

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