“I want the government to keep spending money on a program that puts on air shows in my riding. The government isn't telling me its plans for the program. I want the government to promise it will keep the program going.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
Recent debates
8 latest topics
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
57 statements
Spring Economic Update 2026 Implementation Act
19 statements
Arab Heritage Month Act
5 statements
The Economy
15 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Government Priorities
2 statements
Housing
12 statements
The Environment
2 statements
Oral Questions
National Defence
The opposition asked the government about the future of the Snowbirds air demonstration squadron, given the aging fleet of Tutor aircraft. The government said the Snowbirds will continue as long as it is feasible and safe with the current planes, but did not commit to replacing them. The opposition accused the government of undermining military morale and tradition by not committing to the Snowbirds' future. The government accused the opposition of wanting to put pilots at risk by keeping old planes flying.
“The plane is old. We will use it as long as we can. We are looking at other options for the future.”
“The Snowbirds inspire Canadians. They make me feel good. I want the Liberals to keep the Snowbirds. Why do the bad Liberals want to take my Snowbirds away?”
“I also care about the Snowbirds. They are very important Canadian symbols. But I am not going to tell pilots to fly unsafe planes. That would be dangerous. You explain how you would keep them safe.”
“The military is in bad shape. You hurt its morale and erased its traditions. Now the Snowbirds are at risk. The Snowbirds make Canada look good. Allies like them. You must spend money to save the Snowbirds.”
“You want to cut spending on the military. You're not allowed to talk about the Snowbirds. We're the only adults here. We'll spend lots of money on the military. You can't lecture us.”
“I'm shouting out a slogan so you'll save a program in my riding.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I don't want to answer the question.”
“You're one to talk. Your party spent less than us. Just agree to spend more of other people's money like we are.”
“The Snowbirds are important to Canadians. The Liberals had 11 years to fix them. But here we are. The minister is dodging questions and claiming we're the ones putting pilots at risk. That's ridiculous. He should have made sure the Snowbirds could keep flying safely.”
“That's enough. I get it, the Snowbirds have old planes. We'll keep using them as long as we can. Don't worry about it. I'm not going to propose anything new here.”