At the outbreak of the Second World War, Canada agreed to be the principal venue for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), which involved the construction of 107 flying schools and 184 other units at 231 sites across the country.
The BCATP was able to provide over 131,000 aircrew[REF] to Commonwealth air forces who were critical in replacing the acute loss of pilots during the Battle of Britain and the loss of more than 55,000 aircrew in the bomber offensive over occupied Europe.