In 1936, Canada had almost no airline coverage; many Canadians wishing to fly long distances by air would journey through the United States. The Liberals proposed legislation to establish a government-financed corporation, with half the stock to be owned by the CNR and half by the privately owned Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).[36] The CPR balked at the deal, and the remaining stock was taken up by the CNR.[37] In May 1937, Trans-Canada Air Lines was founded with its inaugural flight, a perilous transcontinental proving flight on 30 July 1937.[38] Howe, along with other dignitaries, was on board, urging the pilots on, even through dangerous weather conditions.[39] For the rest of his political career, Howe kept Trans-Canada Air Lines in his ministerial portfolio,[40] considering it his "progeny and generally promoted its interests."[41][lower-alpha 3]