The CF Snowbirds performed their expected final Canada Day flypast over Ottawa on Wednesday, July 1, marking the beginning of a decade-long hiatus for the iconic aerobatic team. Heavy rains forced the cancellation of their 4 p.m. demonstration, but the 1 p.m. flypast went ahead, drawing crowds who stopped to watch the red-and-white jets streak across the sky.
55-Year Legacy
For 55 years, the Snowbirds have been a staple of Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. Their CT-114 Tutor jets, built in Canada, have become a national symbol. The team, officially the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, is scheduled to perform at the AERO Gatineau-Ottawa air show on Sept. 18-20, their last confirmed Canadian appearance. Two U.S. air shows in October and a potential Grey Cup flypast in Calgary in November remain possibilities.
After that, the Tutors will be mothballed and the squadron placed on hiatus until new turboprop Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin II trainers can replace them. The Snowbirds are not expected to fly again until the early 2030s, according to current plans.
End of an Era
Canadian defence procurement often faces delays, and changes in government could alter priorities. But if the schedule holds, Wednesday marked the beginning of the end of a distinctly Canadian tradition. Former Snowbirds commander and pilot Dan Dempsey reflected on the team's bond with Canadians. "The more accurate answer would be the Canadian flag," he said. "That is what I see when the Snowbirds do a flypast anywhere in Canada. No organization flies the Canadian flag more proudly or to more locations in Canada than the Snowbirds."
Dempsey noted that Canadians feel a personal connection to the Snowbirds, viewing them not as a military unit but as belonging to the nation. He recalled a memorable Canada Day in 1990 when the team performed a nine-plane Canada Burst over the Peace Tower for Queen Elizabeth II, trailing red and white smoke.
Looking Ahead
The Snowbirds' hiatus will leave a gap in Canada Day celebrations and other national events. The aircraft, which have undergone upgrades costing $30 million, will be stored until the new Siskin II trainers are ready. The RCAF previously rejected the purchase of interim replacement aircraft in 2019, according to documents. For now, Canadians will have to wait until the early 2030s to see the Snowbirds return to the skies.
