Born and raised on a farm south of Moose Jaw, Sask., Jana Kitts would often watch in wonder as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds air demonstration team practiced over her family’s fields at its homebase at 15 Wing. “I was really lucky growing up to see them in the air and lucky to see them ever since,” she remembered. “15 Wing is really connected to Moose Jaw, to our community, they’re on our hockey team’s [logo]. To me, they are more than an air demonstration squadron.” On May 19, the federal government announced the Snowbirds will be temporarily grounded after the 2026 season, until the team’s aging Tutor jets are replaced with the new CT-157 Siskin II. The Snowbirds have performed at air shows across North America from May to October each year and have regularly flown overseas - performing nearly 2,900 official shows with another 1,000 fly-bys. Kitts says the news didn’t feel right in her gut. “[The Snowbirds] are special to me, but it’s also special to Canada,” she told CTV News. “They’re Canada’s team. The connection, the feeling of pride and them representing our country; it feels like Canadians don’t want to lose that through the transition period to the new aircraft.” She added that Canadians want to feel that connection, which prompted her to take action. In the days following the announcement, she researched ways she could amplify her voice to the federal government. “I knew there must be other Canadians feeling the same way,” Kitts said. “So I started the petition to give everybody an opportunity to have their voice heard.” Her petition penned to the Government of Canada aims to have the Department of Defence investigate ways to keep the RCAF Snowbirds flying while it procures new aircraft for the team. It also asks the government to maintain and continue funding and operational support for the program through 2030. Kitts believes stakeholders, such as the Snowbirds Alumni Association (SAA), have solutions which would allow the air demonstration squadron to perform through the transition. The SAA have previously brought forward ideas like reducing the team to seven planes – rather than nine. “[The Snowbirds] are a part of our identity,” said Kitts. “It acknowledges they invested in this team in the past to keep them flying until 2030, but it also acknowledges the safety aspect of it, too.” Kitts said some of the ideas she’s heard from SAA and the aviation community are viable options to be considered. “I’m just hoping this petition helps [the federal government] more deeply consider those options,” she added. Kitts says she has already received plenty of support from the SAA, the City of Moose Jaw and local MP Fraser Tolmie, who has sponsored the petition to the House of Commons. “I think there is another way forward,” Tolmie told CTV News Tuesday. “People are questioning our national unity and this is a really a time we need to start flying the flag. The snowbirds really represent that.” Tolmie, the former Mayor of Moose Jaw and current deputy critic of veterans affairs was quick to throw his name forward for Kitts’ campaign. “This is something that’s ours, we’re not going to let it go,” he said. “This shows the passion of our community. Jana is someone who recognizes the importance of the Snowbirds – not just to Moose Jaw or the province; but across Canada.” Every day, Kitts sees more signatures from supporters across the country. “It’s really encouraging to hear the passion everybody has for the Snowbirds,” she said. “That connection has united Canadians from coast to coast for generations watching them.” The Snowbirds are set to host the squadron’s 55th anniversary air show July 11 at the Moose Jaw Airport. It’s expected to be the final hometown show before the replacement of the fleet. Kitts will be in attendance for Saturday’s show for what she hopes won’t be the last time. “If we were able to see them continue in some capacity, it just really inspires a person to keep voicing concerns on matters they’re passionate about. That gives us a lot of hopes,” she said. Kitts’ petition is open for signatures until Oct. 24, 2026. For more details about the petition, click here.
