Senator Batters: Minister Blair, the commitment by the Government of Canada to the Snowbirds is imperative. The Snowbirds are the excellent public face of the Canadian military and serve as a major recruitment tool at this time of declining membership in the Canadian Forces. Current Snowbird 2 Captain Caitlyn Clapp started dreaming of becoming a Snowbird pilot at age 12, when she saw this magnificent team perform, led by Commanding Officer Maryse Carmichael, the Snowbirds’ first female pilot. With media reports stating that your government intends to cut the National Defence budget by $1 billion, will you commit today that Canada’s beloved Snowbirds will never be sacrificed on the chopping block?

I will tell you that what I’m not looking at with respect to the Treasury Board request for us to look at professional services, consulting and —

Hon. Bill Blair, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence: Thank you very much, senator. I have seen the Snowbirds. They are a proud Canadian tradition. I know they’ve done some really great things for us in promoting their excellent work. By the way, in 2024, we are celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Snowbirds will be an important part of that celebration.

Unfortunately, senator, I’m not prepared to make any commitment with respect to future spending. Obviously, discussions are ongoing as part of our important work in the development of the defence policy update, and we’re looking at all the different expenditures. My primary focus is ensuring that we make investments in the capability of the Canadian Armed Forces to deliver upon all the missions and commitments that we have made through NATO, through NORAD, through our Indo‑Pacific Strategy and here at home and abroad. That is our focus.

I’m aware that the fleet of planes that the Canadian Snowbirds use will, at some point in time, no longer be fit for purpose, so that’s part of our consideration. However, I’m not prepared to make a commitment on any expenditure until that work is complete.

Hon. Denise Batters: Minister, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are a national treasure. Canada’s demonstration flight squadron hails from 15 Wing, Moose Jaw in my province of Saskatchewan. The Snowbirds are a potent Canadian symbol not only of our proud tradition of military excellence but also of the hope and optimism that unite us as a country.

The Snowbirds celebrated their fiftieth anniversary last year, and they need the Government of Canada’s commitment so they can soar high for the next 50 years. Their Tutor jets require replacement by 2030, so the federal government needs an immediate plan to procure these new planes.

As Minister of Defence, will you commit today to ongoing annual funding for the Snowbirds until 2030 and beyond, and will you commit to initiate a procurement plan for new jets now?