Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a very special tribute to Kenn Borek Air and its founder.
Kenn Borek was a true pioneer from my riding of Prince George—Peace River. Twenty-three years ago he had the vision to launch a small charter airline in addition to his very successful oil patch construction company and his farm in Dawson Creek, B.C.
In 2001 Kenn Borek Air received international acclaim for completing a 2,100 kilometre journey to the Antarctic to rescue a gravely ill physician.
Yesterday we learned of yet another daring rescue of a British adventurer off the North Pole. I want to congratulate the two flight crews: Captain Stephen King and Flight Engineer Paul Pitzner performed the rescue while Captain Scott Lippa and First Officer Miles Grandin crewed the backup aircraft.
In December of last year I was honoured to award Kenn Borek, posthumously, a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for all his achievements.
His legacy lives on.