Canadian Snowbirds' final Moose Jaw show fuels campaign to keep them flying

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform a final hometown airshow in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, before the squadron’s CT‑114 Tutor jets are retired. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the jets will be replaced by CT‑157 Siskin II aircraft, grounding the team until the early 2030s while the new planes are built.

Former pilots and local supporters have launched a campaign to urge the federal government to keep the Snowbirds operating during the transition. Retired lieutenant‑colonel Darryl Shyiak and the Snowbirds Alumni Association are asking Canadians to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney and to consider options such as reduced‑size displays or recalling former pilots. In Moose Jaw, petition‑starter Jana Kitts has secured the 500‑signature threshold needed for a House of Commons petition, calling for the team to remain visible in any operational capacity until new aircraft arrive.