Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

In 1998, the festival was also hosting the World Hot Air Airship Championship, which was disputed by 16 teams from Europe, China and the United States.

On July 14, 2001, Boileau who was the general manager since its beginning was involved in a horrific hot-air balloon accident just east of the Ottawa International Airport on Leitrim Road.

Boileau sustained multiple burns while trying to rescue his 15-year-old daughter, Julie, who was trapped inside the balloon's basket.

[1] Boileau, despite the fact that a subsequent Transport Canada report which mention that the accident was caused by a pilot error and bad weather conditions,[2] was later honored by then-governor general Adrienne Clarkson for bravery.

[9] Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, present Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) to Jean Boileau in March 2024 for is implication on the développement of the Gatineau hot air balloon festival around the world.