March 28, 1950 (21st Parliament, 2nd Session)

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

The Canadian authorities were informed by the United States government some time ago that the United States Air Force was contemplating withdrawal from maintenance of certain air bases in the Aleutians, since these were no longer considered necessary by the United States Air Force, and the expense of maintenance was extremely heavy. One of these, Shemya, has been used by both Canadian Pacific Air Lines, and a United States air line, Northwest Air Lines, on their service to the Orient. It is understood that United States civil aviation authorities do not consider it feasible to maintain Shemya purely for civil purposes, in view of the extremely heavy cost involved. Should Shemya no longer be available, it will probably be necessary for Canadian Pacific Air Lines to contemplate use of a mid-Paciflc route to Hong Kong and Tokyo by way of Honolulu, Midway, Wake and Guam.
The air transport board has already discussed this problem with the representatives of the United States civil aeronautics board and the United States state department, and it is expected that satisfactory arrangements can be made for use of this alternative route should the necessity arise, as seems likely.