MOOSE JAW — A clearer picture of the future of Canada’s Snowbirds team is expected to emerge during an announcement in Moose Jaw.
15 Wing Moose Jaw is set to host an announcement at 10 a.m. this morning from federal Defence Minister David McGuinty. His remarks are expected to focus on 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, based out of that location.
The indication from the minister in recent days was that he would provide an update on the future of the Snowbirds at that time.
The future of the Snowbirds has come into question in recent weeks, mainly over concerns about the aging fleet of CT-114 Tutor aircraft and how soon those aircraft could be replaced or refurbished to remain airworthy.
Concerns were raised earlier this month by Conservative MP for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan Fraser Tolmie about the future of the Snowbirds. In a statement earlier this month, Tolmie voiced worries that a plan to keep the Snowbirds in the air was happening at a snail’s pace.
“Several years ago, the government allocated $30 million of funding to keep the Snowbirds’ fleet of Tutor jets airworthy through 2030. Despite countless opportunities to do so, the federal government has made no progress on replacing the aircraft. There is no excuse for waiting this long to produce a plan to keep the Snowbirds flying; but it’s not too late to save one of Canada’s most iconic symbols.”
Tolmie had warned that if the squadron is disbanded, the “culture of excellence and institutional knowledge of the pilots, ground crew and support staff” would be lost.
“Instead, the Liberals should be doing everything possible to make up for the decade they just wasted, keep the Snowbirds in the air through 2030, and ensure replacement aircraft are delivered by then … This is not the time to mothball the jets and leave them grounded forever. It’s precisely the right time to let them tear across Canadian skies and inspire us.”
Soon after, McGuinty took to social media to make it known the Snowbirds would continue to fly.
“This is false. Canadians can rest assured that they will be able to enjoy the iconic Snowbird formation for generations to come. I’ll be in Moose Jaw on May 19 to say more,” McGuinty said on social media on May 9.
It is likely McGuinty could face questions from reporters on more than just the Snowbirds. This week, the United States announced it was pausing the Permanent Joint Board on Defence, citing concerns that Canada has failed to make progress on its defence commitments.
