SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Honourable senators, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Canada’s most cherished icons, the Snowbirds: the pride of Saskatchewan, Canada and the Royal Canadian Air Force, or RCAF.

Their crest shows four speed birds flying in formation, designed to look like a spike of wheat — a tip of the hat to their home base, 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

As aerial ambassadors, the Snowbirds follow in the contrails of the Siskins, Golden Hawks and Golden Centennaires. They first took to the skies in 1971, named by a young student at a local school contest.

The Snowbirds quickly stirred the heart of the nation, millions watching in awe the skills of the Tutor jet pilots and their elegant, death-defying manœuvres at powerful speeds with perfectly aligned formations, the wing tips seemingly a breathtaking hand span apart, but, often, it’s actually much closer.

The Double Diamond Roll is flown with four feet of wing overlap.

One of the most extraordinary experiences of my life was to fly with the Snowbirds on Canada Day on July 1, 2011, over Parliament Hill as Prince William and Princess Kate looked on during their first trip to Canada as newlyweds.

I survived. It was exhilarating and was a capstone moment in my time as Honorary Colonel of the RCAF.

As politicians call for us to put our elbows up, it is troubling that we would take down such an iconic symbol to pause the program despite the fact that funding was in place until 2030 at a time when we need shared connectors.

Now, we have a vague promise that the Snowbirds will be back sometime in the 2030s, perhaps flying a prop plane. The reviews are mixed over whether these planes would be able to deliver the thrilling performances that we have come to expect.

However, what concerns me more is that, once the government cuts a program, it usually stays cut.

After years of a hiatus, we will also diminish pilot skills and lose institutional memory. Then there’s the issue of recruitment, as the Snowbirds have always been a draw to maintain — even boost — the ranks.

This pause, or perhaps cancellation, will also take a heavy toll on the community of Moose Jaw, where the Snowbirds are a livelihood for many, both on base and off.

When successive governments take turns kicking the can down the road, instead of putting the money and effort into understanding the crucial role of these warriors of the air, this is where we land.

Colleagues, let us continue to cherish this beloved team. Please let your MPs and the Prime Minister know that this is not the moment to ground the Snowbirds. They need to be back in the skies to inspire another generation.

Thank you.