EXCLUSIVE: Snowbirds could be grounded for years, Conservatives warn

OTTAWA - The summer of 2026 could be Canadians’ last chance to see the Royal Canadian Air Force’s iconic Snowbirds aerobatic team for years, a Conservative MP says.

Conservatives warn the federal government is preparing to pause or cancel the Snowbirds program in 2027, despite spending tens of millions of dollars in recent years to keep the aging aircraft flying into the next decade.

Fraser Tolmie, the Conservative MP for Moose Jaw, Sask.—home to the Snowbirds—said the team is not accepting bookings for the summer of 2027 after completing a full slate of air shows this year.

“Up front, the Snowbirds are being cancelled,” Tolmie told CTV News. “This is the last season. We’ve been hearing from locals and air show organizers across North America that this is the end and they won’t be continuing in 2027.”

“What I’ve heard is they’re going to pause the Snowbirds for five years.”

Tolmie said neither the Department of National Defence nor the Royal Canadian Air Force has responded to his letter to Defence Minister David McGuinty, to questions raised in the Senate, or to inquiries from CTV News.

“This is the time to be flying our iconic symbol, not cancelling it,” Tolmie said. “This is an SOS—save our Snowbirds.”

The RCAF has flown aerobatic teams since the 1950s. The Snowbirds were formally established in 1971 as the Canadian Forces’ official aerobatic demonstration team. They perform at air shows across North America from May to October and have regularly flown overseas—appearances Tolmie says will end if the program is paused in 2027.

“When I was mayor of Moose Jaw, I signed off on a document allowing the Snowbirds to fly below 500 feet down Main Street when they came home,” he said. “They inspire people. They touch the hearts of Canadians, and we need to keep that inspiration going.”

The Snowbirds fly CT-114 Tutor jets, a fleet that has faced some safety and maintenance concerns. Since the team was created, 10 aircraft have been lost, including three crashes involving fatalities.

In 2021, Ottawa spent $30 million upgrading the Snowbirds with the goal of keeping the aircraft operational until 2030. Fully replacing the jets—along with pilot training, maintenance systems and spare parts—could cost an estimated $1 billion to $2 billion over the life of a new fleet.

Despite all of the challenges, Tolmie argued the Snowbirds are more important than ever.

“This is like maple syrup,” he said. “This is like ice-cold Canadian beer. This is gravy on our poutine.”

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