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. 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?