The history of Canadian North dates back to the early 1970s when it was first established as a regional airline. It was a subsidiary of Pacific Western Airlines, which was a major Canadian airline at the time. Canadian North operated flights in the Northern part of Canada, providing air service to remote communities in the Arctic and subarctic regions.

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The airline started its operations in 1971, using two Douglas DC-3 aircraft to connect Edmonton, Yellowknife and other northern towns. In the early years, Canadian North operated mainly cargo flights, but gradually expanded its operations to include passenger services. The airline eventually operated a fleet of over 20 aircraft, including Boeing 727s and de Havilland Dash 7s.

Throughout its history, Canadian North has faced many challenges and faced numerous incidents. In 1975, one of its aircraft crashed near Yellowknife, killing all four people on board. This was the first of several air accidents involving Canadian North; in 1987, another of its planes crashed in Alberta, killing 15 people. In 2010, the airline faced a federal investigation for safety violations, leading to fines and the suspension of its air operator's certificate.

Despite these setbacks, Canadian North has continued to grow and evolve over the years. In 1986, the airline was acquired by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and renamed to its current name. This marked a new era of growth and expansion for Canadian North, as it began to expand its operations to include scheduled passenger service to destinations across Canada.

Canadian North has also seen several milestones in its history; in 1995 the airline launched its “Frequent Flyer” rewards program, and in 2000 it launched its first-ever transcontinental flight from Yellowknife to Toronto. In 2004, the airline received its first Boeing 737-200, marking the first time the airline had operated a jet aircraft.

In recent years, Canadian North has continued to innovate and expand its operations. In 2012, the airline launched a new route from Yellowknife to Vancouver, making it the first Canadian carrier to offer non-stop service between the two cities. The airline has also continued to invest in new aircraft, adding four Dash 8-400s to its fleet in 2019.

Overall, Canadian North has had its highs and lows, but has remained a strong presence in the Canadian aviation industry for nearly 50 years. It has continued to innovate and evolve to meet the changing needs of its customers, and has remained committed to providing safe, reliable air service in the North.