QUESTION PERIOD — National Defence
Canadian Forces Snowbirds
March 26, 2026
Senator Moreau, two years ago, I asked former defence minister Bill Blair to commit to future funding for the gem of the Royal Canadian Air Force: the Snowbirds, also known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. He refused to commit to even the ongoing $10-million annual funding.
Your Liberal government struggled to meet its 2% NATO defence spending obligation, let alone the anticipated 5% future target. This is the perfect time to buy replacement jets for the Snowbirds and keep them flying high for decades to come. This week, however, your government tabled its plan for cuts at the Department of National Defence. It says that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces will:
. . . retire selected fleets that are nearing the end of their service lives, face rising sustainment costs, and that either no longer align with future Canadian Armed Forces operational requirements or for which replacement capabilities have already been identified.
This sounds an awful lot like a plan to ground the Snowbirds forever. Is that true? If so, shame on your government.
Was that a question or an answer?
If it is a question, my understanding is that the investment pledge to NATO has been reached. The 2% of gross domestic product, or GDP, has been reached as of yesterday.
As far as the Snowbirds are concerned, I have no specific information regarding your question, but I will raise it with the minister, and I’ll get back to you. I have no indication that there is any intention of indefinitely grounding the Snowbirds. It is not my understanding that the government is supportive of the answer you gave to your own question.
Senator Moreau, the Snowbirds are not a surplus item. They are a critical recruitment tool for the Canadian Armed Forces and a mighty symbol of patriotic pride at a time when Canada needs — now, more than ever — to showcase our national strength and sovereignty.
Which Canadian’s heart doesn’t soar as they watch the Snowbirds perform the Maple Leaf Split over Parliament Hill? Canadians love the Snowbirds. They unite us. Can you please promise today — for Canadians — that your Liberal government will not sacrifice our beloved Snowbirds?
I must remind you that the government has made an unprecedented investment in the Canadian Armed Forces. Even the Conservative government has not invested as much as the Liberal government is right now.
As far as the Snowbirds are concerned, I have no indication that the government intends to ground the Snowbirds indefinitely, but I will raise your question with the minister, and I will provide you with an answer.
