Celebrating Resilience: Boeing’s Historic Partnership with Canada and the Significance of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025

As we prepare for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, I am thrilled to represent Boeing in the very city where our story in Canada started. Many may not realize that British Columbia, particularly Vancouver, has played a pivotal role in our history in Canada and the upcoming Games will be adding much greater significance to our presence here.
Our Canadian partnership began in March 1919, when Bill Boeing and pilot Eddie Hubbard made history by flying 60 letters from Vancouver to Seattle in Boeing’s C-700, marking the first international airmail to reach the United States. In March we will celebrate the 106th anniversary of that flight, a testament to our enduring relationship with the province.
Since then, our presence has grown to 15 sites across seven provinces, including our Boeing team in Vancouver, supporting over 14,000 jobs in communities nationwide. Approximately 100,000 passengers fly on Boeing planes operated by Canadian airlines each day. We are particularly proud to have more than 500 Boeing suppliers across the country, including many right here in British Columbia.
Vancouver has been the backdrop for significant milestones in Boeing’s history and we are proud to have our support for the upcoming Invictus Games to continue this tradition. During World War II, Canada played a crucial role in aircraft manufacturing. In 1941, the Canadian Government completed a massive manufacturing factory on Sea Island in BC, where the Boeing Aircraft Company built PBY Catalina aircraft and the mid-section of the B-29, showcasing Canada’s industrial capabilities and contributing to the war effort.
Our commitment to Veteran causes is a fundamental aspect of our identity at Boeing. As a Veteran myself, I understand firsthand the significance of supporting those who have served. As we cheer on competitors from around the globe at the Invictus Games, we celebrate their determination.
Earlier in the month I had the great opportunity to meet with Team Canada competitors in Vancouver at their final training camp as they prepared for the upcoming Games. The Games, and the Veterans who demonstrate their recovery through sport, inspire all of us to remain resilient regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead.
Al Meinzinger is the President of Boeing Canada. Prior to joining Boeing, Meinzinger was the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as its longest-serving Commander in the last 60 years.

Al Meinzinger meets with a Team Canada competitor alongside Natasa Trajkovic, Boeing Vancouver’s site lead (Boeing photo)

Photo Credit: True Patriot Love
About the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, is an international sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service members and Veterans. From February 8-16, 2025, the seventh Invictus Games will bring together up to 550 from 23 nations in 11 adaptive sports in the natural beauty of British Columbia, Canada. Invictus means unconquered and the Games celebrate courage, resiliency, and the strength of the human spirit. Through the power of sport, the Games will inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. True Patriot Love Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia are the valued Founding Partners of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Visit invictusgames2025.ca/media-hub/ for our latest news, supporting materials and full Games details.