Nanaimo City Council will not support campaign to keep snowbirds in the air
Published at 12:30 pm Monday 13 July 2026
Supporting the continuation of Canada’s iconic Snowbirds demonstration squadron is not on Nanaimo City Council’s radar.
The council voted at its July 6 meeting against supporting a national campaign to keep the Snowbird squadron, which tours North America to showcase the Royal Canadian Air Force’s prowess and teamwork, in the air when the squadron is grounded after this year’s flying season.
Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty announced in May that the Snowbirds would no longer fly after the 2026 flying season until new aircraft arrive to replace the aging CT-114 Tutor aircraft.
The Snowbirds are expected to return to airshow performances again in the early 2030s.
James Murdoch, mayor of Moose Jaw, where the flying squadron is based, is calling on local governments across Canada to support the No Pause campaign to keep Snowbird running.
The letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, which Murdoch urges local governments to sign, said Canadian municipalities recognize the importance of maintaining safety and operational efficiency.
“However, we respectfully urge the Government of Canada to also consider the significant cultural, community and national value that the Snowbirds represent,” the letter said.
“We respectfully urge the government to carefully consider the future of this program and support its continuation in a way that preserves its legacy for future generations.”
But Count. Paul Manley said he believed the reason the program was delayed was because the aircraft had reached the end of their service life.
“So I’m not sure it would be a good idea to ask the government to extend a program that would put pilots at risk,” he said.
“I just think there’s a reason it got pushed to the back burner.”
The council voted against supporting the No Pause campaign.
The Snowbirds last performed in Nanaimo in August 2025, when the squadron drew thousands to watch the air show and marked the team’s first appearance in the city in many years.