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National Defence

During question period, several Conservative members asked about the future of the Snowbirds aerobatic team, saying air show organizers have been told this is the team’s final season and asking the government to confirm it is not cancelling the program and to keep it running. They said the Snowbirds inspire Canadians, are based in Saskatchewan, and represent Canadian pride. The Minister of National Defence and other Liberal members replied that the Snowbirds’ Tutor aircraft date from the 1960s and will reach the end of their life in the coming years, that the team will continue flying as long as it is safe and feasible, and that a review is ongoing. Liberal members also said the government will not put pilots at risk with aging planes, and criticized the Conservatives’ defence spending record when they were in government.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

11 statements

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“Air show organizers are being told this is the last season for the Snowbirds. I asked the defence minister about this months ago, but got no reply. The government needs to admit it is canceling the Snowbirds and reverse this decision.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, air show organizers across North America are quietly being told that this is the final season of the iconic Snowbirds. I wrote the Minister of National Defence almost six months ago, asking about the future of the Snowbirds. There was no reply. Senator Batters did the same in the Senate. Crickets. Tomorrow is the Snowbirds “acceptance show” in Comox. Why will the Liberals not come clean about their decision to cancel the iconic Snowbirds and when will they reverse this terrible decision?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“The Snowbirds fly very old planes. They will keep flying them as long as it is safe, but the planes will soon be too old to use. We are looking for new planes to replace them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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  • A repeated line

    “The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 7.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the RCAF’s fleet of Tutor aircraft was first introduced in the 1960s. The fleet will reach its end of life in the coming years. The member knows this. The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe. The member knows that as well. The Snowbirds remain committed to their performances. As we have stated, we are beginning the process of examining potential aircraft options for the Snowbirds’ mission once the CT‑114 Tutor fleet reaches its end of life.

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Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“The Snowbirds inspire Canadians. I want to know why the government plans to cancel the team, and I want them to reverse this decision.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Signal 29 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, jet noise is the sound of freedom, not white noise. Canadians want to be inspired by other Canadians. Do members know how we got the second female Snowbird pilot? It is because a flame was planted in her heart at the age of 12 when she saw the first female Snowbird pilot. Why are the Liberals hiding the fact that they plan to cancel the Snowbirds after the season, and why will they not immediately reverse this terrible decision? It is SOS time: Save our Snowbirds.

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“I care about this aircraft fleet too. But the other member should not want pilots to fly planes that are unsafe and have mechanical problems. He needs to explain that.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Respect 64 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “he intends to have pilots flying planes that should not be flown”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I share the member’s concerns about the future of the fleet. It is an iconic part of Canadian culture. He and I would agree. However, here is the difference. This member surely cannot be suggesting that he is going to put the pilots, the women and men of that fleet, in harm’s way. Have him stand up and make it plain that he intends to have pilots flying planes that should not be flown, which are under mechanical watch today. Have him explain that.

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Cathay Wagantall

Conservative
“The military has lost many people and its morale is low under this government. I want the government to save the Snowbirds air team. They represent Canadian pride and make our allies respect us.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Signal 44 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, under the Liberal government, our Canadian Forces’ morale has been attacked, traditions have been erased and attrition has become highly damaging to our capability to defend Canada. The Canadian Forces’ Snowbirds must continue to be the souls of our Canadian military. They exude Canadian pride and international reputation for expertise, precision and high standards that have given our allies confidence in us in the past. Will the Liberals do the right thing and save our souls, save our Snowbirds?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal

Linked statement

“We will keep our pilots safe. The Conservatives spent very little on the military when they were in power, so we will not take their advice on defence and veterans.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 34 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the minister has spoken very eloquently about our need to be the adults, to be responsible and keep our pilots safe, and that is exactly what we are going to continue to do. However, it is the temerity, the gall of the Conservatives to stand in this House, the 0.99% of GDP crew here, giving lectures. We will take no lessons on defence spending, on defence investments, on investments in our veterans, on investments in our armed forces and equipping our men and women in uniform. Those Conservatives— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Kevin Waugh

Conservative
“The government is going to cancel the Snowbirds flight team. I want them to change their minds and keep the program.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, SOS: Save our Snowbirds. The Snowbirds are a proud Canadian institution based in the land of the living skies, Saskatchewan. We now hear that the Liberals are going to cancel the Snowbird program. It is unthinkable that we could see the end of this precision squadron that proudly represents this country at home and abroad. Will the Liberals reverse this mistake and keep our Snowbirds in the sky? Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“We need to replace these planes so our pilots stay safe. The other side knows this, and our review is still happening.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, surely the members on the opposite side, including those who have distinguished service in the Canadian Armed Forces, are not suggesting that we continue to put the pilots of these aircraft, frankly, in harm’s way. They know these planes have to be replaced. They know this assessment is ongoing— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“The Conservatives spent less than one per cent of our national wealth on defence when they were in power. They should support our plan to spend more money on the military.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 19 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, as my House leader colleague was saying just a moment ago, it is a bit rich for a party that had funding for the Canadian Armed Forces and defence below 1% of GDP. Honestly, they should stand up and join us as we reinvest in the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.

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Pierre Paul-Hus

Conservative
“The Snowbirds are in danger of being cancelled. The government has had 11 years to fix the problems with them. I want the minister to give a real answer about their future.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one symbol that unites all Canadians from coast to coast to coast is the Snowbirds, but my colleagues from Saskatchewan have now asked the Minister of National Defence four questions, and his only answer is that to suggest the program should not be cancelled is to put pilots’ lives in danger. What have the Liberals been doing for the past 11 years? They have known for quite some time that something needed to be done, and now the Snowbirds are in danger. Does the minister have anything to tell us other than this nonsense?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“The planes used by the Snowbirds were made in the 1960s and will soon be too old to fly. The Snowbirds will keep using them as long as it is safe to do so.”

  • A repeated line

    “The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 7.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, here are the facts. The RCAF’s fleet of Tutor aircraft was first introduced in the 1960s. The fleet will reach its end of life in the coming years. The member knows that and he has known that for a long time. The Snowbirds will continue air demonstrations with the Tutor fleet for as long as it is feasible and safe to do so. The Snowbirds remain committed to their performances. The member knows that. We are continuing to carry out our good work.

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