During World War II, the Muskoka Airport, referred to as "Little Norway", was used as a training facility by the Royal Norwegian Air Force.  Throughout the war, hundreds of Norwegians escaped to Canada to train as pilots and aircrew before returning to the battlefields of Europe. 

The National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has designated Norwegian Training in Canada during the World War II an event of national historical significance.  Attached letter from Minister of Canadian Heritage.

A standard plaque has been erected on a stone near the Air Terminal Building at Muskoka Airport it reads:

"NORWEGIAN TRAINING IN CANADA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Located near here, Little Norway, one of the Norwegian armed forces training centres in Canada during the Second World War, was officially opened by Crown Prince Olav in May 1942.  It embodies for Canadians the importance of the alliance of nations fighting for freedom.  Between 1940 and 1945 more than 3,000 Norwegian airmen, sailors and soldiers and up to 3,000 merchant seamen and civilians trained in Canada for the struggle to liberate their occupied homeland.  The strong bond between the two countries, forged in the experience of those years, has become a symbol of Canada's continuing friendship with its wartime allies.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - Government of Canada"

Additional information respecting this historic event is available at www.emb-norway.ca.

Parks Canada News Release - Announcement of the designation.

Supplementary Report - Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada - Commemoration of Norwegian Training in Canada during the Second World War.