A petition to rename the Calgary International Airport in honour of outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making the rounds and another that hopes to block the move is also gaining momentum.
The ‘Rename Calgary International Airport to the Stephen J. Harper International Airport’ petition has over 1500 supporters so far.
The organizer argues that Harper should be given the honour because he spent ten years in office and made significant contributions to the national landscape.
“Harper is the longest serving Prime Minister from western Canada and what he did, he tried to make the country a better place and he worked hard and those accomplishments should be recognized,” said R. Curtis Mullen, petitioner. “One step at a time and once we have the ground-swell of support to make this happen and then we would show that this is a recognition that Canadians are asking for.
Harper is from Toronto but moved to Calgary in 1978 to work in the petroleum industry.
He maintains a permanent home here and is the sixth longest serving PM in Canada’s history.
Other international airports in Canada are named for past PMs including; Toronto’s Pearson airport and Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
Travellers at Calgary’s Airport were mixed on the renaming.
“Yea and did an excellent job for all Canadians so let’s name the airport after him,” said one man.
“As much as I love our Prime Minister, I think we need to stick with a bit of history and tradition,” said another man.
“I don’t think he’s really worthy of changing the name. I think we should just leave it the way it is,” said another traveller.
“More baggage than this airport can handle,” said one lady.
Another petition to prevent the name change is also picking up signatures and also had over 1500 supporters by Monday evening.
To view the ‘Rename Calgary International Airport to the Stephen J. Harper International Airport’ petition click HERE and to view the ‘Prevent Renaming the Calgary International Airport’ petition click HERE.
(With files from Brad MacLeod)
