The Canadian International Air Show returns to the skies above Toronto this Labour Day weekend, bringing with it a whole fleet of military fighter jets that do swoopy things for our apparent entertainment.

Of course, if you actually live in the city, you don't need me to tell you that: You can hear said jets periodically roaring and screaming outside while you attempt to enjoy an otherwise lovely Friday afternoon.

You hate it, don't you? Most people do.

Omfg toronto turn your stupid ass loud military planes off

Like who is enjoying this?

— Fran not Fine (@dubravkaz) September 3, 2021

Described by organizers as "a jam-packed air display showcasing modern military jets, vintage warbirds, thrilling aerobatics and of course our beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds celebrating their 50th season," the air show doesn't actually begin its two-day stint until Sept. 4.

Normal people: trying to work on a Friday
Toronto air show: ……. pic.twitter.com/WwyF7dmR3i

— Kevin Vecmanis (@kevinvecmanis) September 3, 2021

The show is set to take place, as usual, along the waterfront from noon until 3 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

And yet, dogs and cats all over the city are shaking with terror right now thanks to rehearsals that are every bit as long and every bit as loud as the main show will be this weekend.

Ah the Toronto air show pic.twitter.com/Chd5w4WOrC

— David Mitchell (@DavidMi80855223) September 3, 2021

While there are some people who enjoy the aerial acrobatics — many of them tourists who don't have to deal with their Zoom calls being interrupted by the sound of fighter jets for several days in a row — locals generally detest this annual display of noisy war machinery.

I'm going to run for Toronto mayor one day with a platform solely consisting of banning the airshow forever and the entire west end will vote for me

— maybe: beverly (@LawlItsBev) September 3, 2021

Twitter regularly explodes with rage once the pilots begin practicing their stunts around this time of year, and we don't even have a nice trip to the CNE (cancelled for 2021) as consolation.

everyone in toronto muting their zoom meetings every 2 minutes while war planes do flyovers just for funsies 👍 air show so cool and definitely not stupid/bad pic.twitter.com/5g5sUSY7JP

— a cat in the bath (@megnabb) September 3, 2021

Anyone who lives in the downtown core, particularly near the Exhibition grounds in Toronto's west end, can expect regular thunderous whooshing noises for much of this afternoon.

Meanwhile in #Toronto we’re preparing for labour day with Fighter Jets pic.twitter.com/1xrpDa1c1n

— Samir Azizi (@AdoubleZI) September 3, 2021

The only way to avoid the noise is to literally leave the city. Maybe that's why rich people always go to their cottages for this particular long weekend?

If there is to be an airshow, it should be moved to Muskoka where Mayor @JohnTory and the other overfed Toronto elites that make our lives miserable spend the Labour Day weekend

— Toronto Communists (@TorontoCommies) September 3, 2021

The air show and rehearsals for it are annoying and disruptive for people trying to work or who have babies sleeping or whatever, but the ritualistic showcase of Canadian and American military aircrafts is more problematic than many of its longtime fans realize.

During WWII my immigrant parents were small children living in Europe. They embraced Canadian life with much passion, but two Canadian past times -- air shows and fireworks -- always triggered anxiety and terrible memories for them as well.

— Connie Jeske Crane (@connjay) September 3, 2021

Advocates for refugees, veterans, survivors of war and people with conditions such as PTSD and anxiety have been pointing out more and more in recent years that the air show is actually pretty f*cked up.

Toronto air show is like: YOU WILL LISTEN to how LOUD our FLYING GUNS are. We can use them to KILL BROWN CHILDREN in POOR COUNTRIES. GO CANADA.

— fijaap (@fijaap) September 3, 2021

"The Toronto Air Show. An annual tradition where a few people enjoy themselves and the rest of the city shudders. A metaphor," tweeted actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley on Friday afternoon.

"I don't keep track of when the air show is, so a half hour ago I was pretty sure we were under attack," replied one follower.

"I didn't realize it was happening this year and immediately felt my chest tighten with anxiety when I first heard the jets in the last hour," wrote another. "Without context or warning it's truly a fear inducing sound."

Toronto if we just stopped doing the air show and stopped building condos and just let people live wherever they want and stopped making weed stores and lowered the rent pic.twitter.com/hvHzA3q2Zi

— briAnRideOut (@RideoutMural) September 3, 2021

The air show has also come under an increasing amount of criticism in recent years for its environmental impacts.

Exactly! Why?? It’s a #ClimateCrisis & still they fly ✈️ “Canadian International Air Show largest & longest-running airshow in heart of Toronto over weekend… jam-packed air display showcasing modern military jets, vintage warbirds, & thrilling aerobatics”https://t.co/DNv4MeNj1m

— Janet Joy Wilson (she/her) (@jsquaredink) September 3, 2021

"Ah, the Toronto Air Show. Looking forward to my dog being terrified to go outside for two weeks while jet fuel is being wasted above our heads in the midst of a climate crisis," tweeted one local on Friday afternoon.

"I tweet this every summer, but the air show is a horrifying anachronism that needs to end," wrote another.

"This summer, more than ever, the screaming fighter jets above my head sound like nothing less than a celebration of climate catastrophe and endless war."