Well, That's Interesting

But, thanks to an exclusive investigation into consulting contracts, we know that five months before Trudeau cancelled the new jets for the Snowbirds, the government was searching for advice on how to keep the aging jets in the sky. The information comes from a December 2017 Request for Procurement taken directly from the government contracts website seeking vendors to engage with and offer advice on how to maintain the CT-114 Tutor fleet beyond 2020.  

The contract admits aviation mechanics have been “cannibalizing” ten CT-114s to keep the others in the air.  

The contract has a strong secrecy clause. Liberals didn’t want the media finding out they were never going to upgrade the CT-114s before the information was made official: 

“Canada requires Participants to NOT reveal or discuss any information or documentation to the Media regarding the J85-CAN-40 Propulsion Group Sustainment (PGS) Program during this Industry Consultative process. If Participants receive a question from the Media, Participants are to direct the Media to contact the PSPC Media Relations Office”  

The secrecy clause worked. Canadians didn’t find out about the Liberal plan to keep CT-114s flying until 2030, until the news broke May 2018, five months after this contract for advice was posted.