Nova Scotia Man Removed from Air Canada Flight for Wearing Blackface Trudeau Shirt
A Nova Scotia man was removed from an Air Canada flight after wearing a T-shirt depicting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in blackface, an image that has remained controversial since surfacing publicly in 2019.
The incident occurred on July 8 as the passenger, identified as 62-year-old Daniel Greaves, boarded a flight from Edmonton to Vancouver. According to reports, he was approached by Air Canada crew members while still on the tarmac and asked to leave the plane due to the shirt being deemed “offensive.”
Greaves, who claimed he had worn the shirt on previous flights without issue, told independent media outlets that he complied with the request but was surprised by the airline’s decision. “There was no warning, no discussion—just, ‘You’re not flying in that shirt,’” he said.
The shirt in question displays one of the now-infamous blackface photos of Prime Minister Trudeau, which became global news during the 2019 federal election campaign. At the time, Trudeau apologized publicly, calling the act “unacceptable” and “racist.”
Air Canada has not released an official statement on the matter, but airline policies typically allow staff discretion in removing passengers who may disturb the safety, comfort, or well-being of others onboard.
The incident has sparked a polarizing debate online. Some argue it was an infringement on freedom of expression, while others support the airline’s action, stating that the image could be offensive or distressing to other passengers, particularly in a confined public setting.
As of now, there are no reports of criminal charges or further disciplinary actions.
