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National Defence

Question period focused on the decision to ground the Snowbirds aerobatic team after the 2026 season, with members raising the possible loss of about 80 jobs at the squadron. Conservative members asked whether anyone had consulted the squadron about flying the current jets until 2030, why the replacement would be propeller planes rather than jets, and whether government procurement delays could keep the team grounded for years. The government said it is committed to keeping a nine-plane Snowbird formation and is buying new aircraft for the team and for pilot training, to be based in Saskatchewan and ready by the early 2030s, following the advice of Royal Canadian Air Force experts. Conservatives also quoted a Saskatchewan Liberal secretary of state describing the grounding as a happy event; he replied by criticizing the Conservatives’ record and pointing to increased Saskatchewan farm revenue.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

8 statements

Fraser Tolmie

Conservative

Linked statement

“The defence minister is grounding the Snowbirds after 2026, and their crews are losing their jobs. Experts say these planes are safe to fly until 2030. I want to know if anyone asked the squadron if they could keep flying until 2030.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, after much hype, the Minister of National Defence paraded the Snowbirds in front of the media for all of Canada to see. He then shamefully announced that the Snowbird team was grounded after the 2026 season and that the people behind them were losing their jobs. Which Liberal government was wrong, the one that spent $30 million to keep them flying or the one that is prematurely grounding them? Both L3Harris and Magellan Aerospace, who inspected the jets, say the Tutors are safe to fly until 2030. Was the squadron ever asked if the team could fly until 2030?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“Our government is taking action to protect Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 49 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to ensure that Canadians can continue— An hon. member: Oh, oh!

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“We are buying new planes for the Snowbirds and for pilot training. They will be based in Saskatchewan and ready to fly by the early 2030s.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 39 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our government is taking action to ensure that Canadians can continue to enjoy the iconic nine-plane Snowbird formation for generations to come, and the member knows that. Instead of hyping things up, why does he not work with us? We announced a commitment to procure the CT-157, the Pilatus C-21, that will serve both the future Snowbirds team and pilot training. This new capability will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and is expected to be operational by the latest in the early 2030s. We intend to procure these aircraft quickly and we will do so.

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Fraser Tolmie

Conservative
“The Snowbirds have flown jets for 55 years, but the government is replacing them with propeller planes. Government delays will also keep them grounded for years. Who decided not to buy jets?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if they are safe to fly now, why are they not safe to fly next year? The Liberal government took over a decade to sign the F-35 contract, which is now under review and delayed. If the Snowbird replacement follows that timeline, the team will not fly again until the 2040s. For 55 years, the Snowbirds have been a jet team. The replacement the minister has announced is a propeller aircraft. Who made the decision not to pick jets?

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David McGuinty

Liberal
“We listen to air force experts, not social media. We will keep the Snowbirds flying by buying them new planes.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, what we will not do on this side of the House is take our lead from social media sites. What we will do is work with the Royal Canadian Air Force. We will listen to the experts there. That is exactly what we have done. As the air force advances its air and space modernization efforts, we remain firmly committed to a future air demonstration capability that continues this proud legacy. Canadians across North America can look forward to the Snowbirds’ distinctive nine-plane formation for generations to come in an outstanding replacement plane.

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Jeremy Patzer

Conservative
“The only Liberal member from Saskatchewan made light of the Snowbirds being grounded.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State for Rural Development, the only Liberal MP in Saskatchewan, called the grounding of the Snowbirds and the potential loss— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

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Jeremy Patzer

Conservative
“A Liberal MP was happy that the Snowbirds were grounded and jobs might be lost. The Snowbirds are a Canadian symbol. I want to know why the government is breaking its promise to keep them.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Secretary of State for Rural Development, the only Liberal MP in Saskatchewan, called the grounding of the Snowbirds and the potential loss of 80 jobs a very, very joyous and happy event. Given his track record for 26 years as an MLA, including eight as a cabinet minister for the NDP, this is not surprising. He destroyed our province for a generation, and he is living up to that record so far in his first term in Ottawa. The Snowbirds are a Canadian icon, so why are the Liberals not keeping their promise and keeping this national symbol?

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Buckley Belanger

Liberal
“We will not take lessons from the Conservatives. They did nothing for 10 years. Since then, Saskatchewan farm revenue has doubled to a record $8.4 billion.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 1 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 28 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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  • A repeated line

    “We will take no lessons from the Conservatives.”

    Said 9 times by 4 members since April 23.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, more Liberals from Saskatchewan are coming, so the cavalry is on its way. We will take no lessons from the Conservatives over there. Why? Because they did nothing for 10 long years. Since their absence from Saskatchewan to come over here and do nothing, what has happened back home? This headline reads, “Saskatchewan Value Added Agricultural Revenue Reaches Record $8.4 Billion”, which is twice as much as 10 years ago when you guys left Saskatchewan, so we will not take any lessons from you guys—

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