The team is set to perform two more times at the Canadian International Air Show, held every year along Toronto’s lakeshore, during the Labour Day long weekend before they head up to northern Ontario.
Pierre Gionet, an aviation fan at the air show on Saturday, shared that the Snowbirds represent Canadian pride.
“I do stream a lot of air shows online and whenever the Snowbirds are there, I get a little feeling I don’t get for the other acts,” he said.
While Gionet feels mixed about the grounding of the Snowbirds, he believes it’s more crucial for the Canadian military to upgrade its outdated equipment than to focus on the air force’s flight demonstration team.
Sandy Seymour, an air show attendee wearing a Snowbirds hat and shirt, expressed her disappointment that the federal government couldn’t find a way to replace the Snowbirds’ jets without grounding them.
She noted that the Canadian National Exhibition fair, which has its last weekend coincide with the air show, won’t feel complete without watching the Snowbirds perform their thrilling stunts. She mentioned it’s a yearly tradition for her to attend the fair and see the jets fly over the exhibition grounds.
Seymour was joined by hundreds of others on CNE grounds who had their eyes and cameras aimed skyward as fighter jets from World War II to modern times zoomed over Lake Ontario’s shores.
Other demonstrations included military and police aircraft along with performances by civilian pilots, featuring a father-and-son duo flying homebuilt planes.
The exact timeline for when the Snowbirds will return isn’t clear. Defence Minister David Mc Guinty stated in May that discussions are ongoing with the manufacturer of their new Siskin jets.
The Snowbirds have performed around 2,700 times in Tutor jets since 1971 and have become key participants in national events and celebrations.
The last show for this season is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Calgary’s Grey Cup event.
Last year, Canada significantly increased its military spending right before announcing that they would ground the Snowbirds.
After facing years of criticism from allies, Canada fulfilled its NATO obligation by committing two percent of GDP towards defense by allocating over $63 billion for national security in 2025.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has also indicated that Canada plans to spend five percent of GDP on defense by 2035; however, this commitment has faced criticism from NDP as an “extraordinary” amount better spent on affordable housing and healthcare.
This year earlier, Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, mentioned that investments will continue to modernize Armed Forces including purchasing new weapons systems and recruiting more soldiers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first Sept. 5, 2026.
Kathryn Mannie, The Canadian Press
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