MONTRÉAL, October 27, 2006 - Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz marked the launch of the 2006 Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign with the unveiling today of the poppy symbol which will be displayed on select Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz aircraft during the  period of Remembrance.

For more than 80 years the Legion's trademarked poppy has served as the symbol of Remembrance in Canada . Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz now have the distinct honour of taking that symbol - and that message of Remembrance - across the country's skies.

In simultaneous events today in Montreal and Halifax, Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada with Mr. Jack Frost, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion; and Joseph Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jazz, with Mr. Wilf Edmond, the Legion's First Vice-President, affixed the first poppy decals which will adorn the side of 10 Air Canada Airbus narrow body aircraft and 10 Jazz DASH 8 aircraft during this year's period of Remembrance.

"Air Canada and its employees join all Canadians in honouring the men and women who gave their lives for Canada ," said Montie Brewer.  "We recognize the importance of the poppy as a national symbol of the sacrifice of Canada 's veterans and we display it on our aircraft with the utmost pride and respect."

"Air Canada Jazz is proud to fly the visual pledge of Remembrance to 58 cities across Canada , and to pay respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," said Joe Randell.  "We also honour the many veterans and military personnel who reside in the communities we serve, and acknowledge their contribution to our country."

"We are extremely pleased that Air Canada and Jazz have taken this step," said Legion Dominion President Mr. Jack Frost. "They have many connections to our military's history and are helping us spread the word that Remembrance is important to all Canadians."

Passengers travelling today at selected airports across the country will have the opportunity to obtain a poppy while checking-in for their Air Canada or Jazz flight.

During the remembrance period, Air Canada will be including in its in flight entertainment programme three public service announcements produced by the Royal Canadian Legion. These announcements are intended to inform Canadians about the Poppy Campaign and the "Two Minute Wave of Silence". They can also be viewed on the Royal Canadian Legion's website: http://www.legion.ca.

The annual Poppy Campaign is the most important branch project of the year.  For two weeks each fall, Legion members from more than 1550 branches throughout Canada volunteer their time to conduct this campaign, which raises the funds essential to providing the Legion's on-going support and assistance to our veterans.  The campaign also serves to foster the tradition of Remembrance by affording all Canadians an opportunity to wear a poppy.  Since 1921, the poppy has stood as a symbol of collective reminiscence, our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations.

There is a natural link between Air Canada and Canada 's military heritage. Air Canada (then known as Trans-Canada Air Lines) personnel played a key role in transportation and flight training during World War II. Many Air Canada and Jazz employees, past and present, have served or are currently serving as reservists in the Canadian Armed Forces. There are hundreds of employees with loved ones who have served or are currently serving in the military.

Air Canada is also proud to have employees in uniform participate in the laying of a wreath at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa .

Commemorative ceremonies across Canada culminate with a national ceremony on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa . 

-          30 -

Note to Photo Editors: 

Air Canada event:

High resolution, downloadable color photos of the Air Canada event are available http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/logo.html under "Facts and Photos".

Air Canada Jazz event

High resolution, downloadable color photos of the Jazz event are available at http://www.flyjazz.ca/english/media/imgGallery.asp, under Image Gallery.

Air Canada :       Isabelle Arthur (Montréal)                 (514) 422-5788

                           Peter Fitzpatrick ( Toronto )               (416) 263-5576

                           Angela Mah ( Vancouver )                  (604) 270-5741

Jazz:                  Manon Stuart ( Halifax )                     (902) 873-5054

                           Debra Williams ( London )                 (519) 659-5696

Royal Canadian Legion : Bob Butt                              (613) 591-3335

Internet:            aircanada.com

                           flyjazz.ca

                           Legion.ca