Some of the Air France/KLM team:
Yolla Nehme, Catering & Quality Manager; Christina Stewart, Deputy Joint Station Manager; Karan Deswal, Director Stations, Toronto & Western Canada; Bénédicte Duval, General Manager & V. P.; Paul Waardenberg, Maintenance Manager; Grazyna Polnicka, Duty Station Manager; Mary Bilotta-Giglio, Duty Station Manager; Vinni Jacob, Passenger Services Supervisor & Vesna Pirovic, Customer Service Manager.
Bénédicte Duval
Bénédicte Duval; Karan Deswal; Elizabeth Witmer, MPP Kitchener-Waterloo; Hans Horbach, Consul General, Toronto; Christina Stewart
Consul General Horbach enjoying the festivities
Canada and The Netherlands share a special history that has now been formalized in Dutch Heritage Month. Dutch-born Ontario MPP Elizabeth Witmer’s bill 166 “an act to proclaim May as Dutch Heritage Month” was unanimously endorsed this spring and our 1st celebration of the dedication kicked off at Toronto International Airport last week hosted by Bénédicte Duval V. P. & General Manager and Karan Deswal Director Stations, Toronto & Western Canada Air France/KLM and his staff at YYZ. Welcoming their guests, Duval noted that many countries are honoured with an official day, but an entire month devoted to celebrate Dutch heritage is unique.
Addressing the crowd of officials and business partners, Ms. Witmer stated that, “Dutch Heritage Month will be a symbol of the special bonds between the province of Ontario and the Netherlands. It will foster mutual respect and honour the past with an opportunity to look into a bright future as innovative, creative and reliable partners. I am tremendously honoured to have the opportunity to join the Consul General and those who gathered here today in celebrating our history, our long friendship and our shared future as partners and friends.”
Witmer also took advantage of the occasion to announce her PC party’s commitment to a rail link between downtown Toronto and Lester B. Pearson International Airport – a pronouncement met with as much enthusiasm as the proclamation of Dutch Heritage Month.
Earlier in the week, a ceremony at Queen’s Park formalized the introduction of Dutch Heritage Month with the raising of the Dutch flag along with the singing of the Dutch National Anthem. “This is a very special occasion. For the first time ever, the Dutch Flag has flown on the grounds of Ontario’s parliament,” said Witmer. “This simple yet very meaningful act is meant to pay tribute to the very significant role Dutch-Canadians have played in the development of Ontario and the strong ties of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.”
Wim Geerts, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Canada welcomed Dutch Heritage Month stating, “Ottawa’s hospitality towards our Royal Family, Canada’s role in our liberation and the Dutch emigration to Canada laid the foundation for the bonds of friendship between our two countries. Ottawa’s friendship symbol is a tulip, in memory of the Dutch heritage. The friendship between Canada and the Netherlands evolved and continues to make us partners of choice, also economically.”
Hans Horbach, Consul General in Toronto added, “The Netherlands is the third largest investor in Canada after the U.S. and the U.K. Not bad for a country that almost fits into Lake Ontario. I guess you could say we’re a small country with a large footprint!”
May 5th is a historically significant day for the Netherlands and the Dutch community in Canada. On May 5th, 1945, the allies, led by a predominantly Canadian force, liberated the Netherlands from its World War II occupation. “Our two countries will forever remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. We’re close friends, allies and partners,” added Witmer.
In honour of the occasion, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a limited edition “Tulip and Lady Bug” coin, which was presented by the Consul General to Witmer in appreciation of her efforts. The coin symbolises the enduring friendship between Canada and the Netherlands.
Today, more than 500,000 citizens in Ontario have Dutch roots. In the multicultural landscape of present-day Canada, the special bonds between Canada, the province of Ontario and the Netherlands are quite special and Dutch Heritage Month is a testament to that friendship.
Bénédicte Duval also took the opportunity to note that KLM is the oldest airline still operating under its original name and flag. KLM connects The Netherlands with over 100 countries worldwide. Karan Deswal confirmed that KLM will increase their flights to double daily non-stops from Toronto to Amsterdam effective June 16th providing onward connections throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
