Snowbirds Hometown Event in Moose Jaw sold out

Though it was recently announced that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be grounded after this season, excitement surrounding the team remains strong, as organizers announced Monday that the 2026 Snowbirds Hometown Event is officially sold out.

Organizers said the July 11 event at the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport sold out in record time. The 2026 show season is especially significant, as it marks the 55th anniversary of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.

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Tolmie pushes back against grounding decision

Meanwhile, Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan MP Fraser Tolmie said he will continue pressing the federal government over the decision to ground the Snowbirds.

Tolmie spoke in the House of Commons on Monday, saying the iconic aerobatic team deserves better.

“Our Snowbirds deserve better than being treated like a prop, and Canadians deserve answers about the premature grounding of this iconic team,” said Tolmie.

“Magellan Aerospace and L3Harris have both certified that the Tutors are safe to fly until 2030, and the Snowbirds’ engineers and ground crew would never put pilots in harm’s way. There are several options available; the team can fly a reduced schedule, transition to a seven-plane formation and more.”

“It’s time for the prime minister to reverse this decision and present a plan to keep the Snowbirds in the air.”

Tutor jets to be replaced

On May 19, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced in Moose Jaw that the Snowbirds and their CT-114 Tutor jets would be grounded following the 2026 show season.

The team’s jet aircraft will be retired and replaced by the turboprop-powered CT-157 Siskin II, also known as the Pilatus PC-21, which is expected to become the future aircraft for the Snowbirds.

“It’s about preserving a proud Canadian tradition, but it’s also about preparing for the future. It’s about investing in this community and the future of Canadian aerospace and aviation training,” said McGuinty during the announcement on May 19 at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

Negotiations are underway between the federal government and the aircraft manufacturer to procure the new planes as quickly as possible. According to McGuinty, the Snowbirds program is expected to become operational again in the early 2030s.

It remains unclear how many aircraft will be ordered or what the overall cost of the program will be.

During the transition period, the Royal Canadian Air Force says it will continue participating in air shows and public events across Canada using other aircraft and personnel.

Over the past 55 years, the Snowbirds have performed more than 2,700 air shows for over 140 million spectators across North America.

The team has flown from Inuvik to Guadalajara, Mexico, and from Victoria to St. John’s.

Currently, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron includes 86 regular force, reserve force and public service personnel, including 56 regular force members who will continue contributing to Royal Canadian Air Force operations and modernization projects during the transition period.